Essential Facts to Remember on Your Child's Initial Kindergarten Day
Every child develops at their own pace, and this is particularly true when it comes to language skills. At home, it doesn't matter if sentences are choppy or words aren't quite right - what's important is that your child is making progress [1].
Kindergarten can be an exciting, stressful, or surprising experience for both children and parents. As a significant milestone in a child's life, equivalent to potty training, first steps, and the start of formal education, it's essential to prepare your child for this new chapter [2].
Kindergarten teachers expect new students to handle safety scissors and trace basic shapes. But there are also academic skills that are crucial for kindergarten readiness. A child should be able to recognize a few letters such as B, D, and Z, count to 10, and have early reading skills such as recognizing simple words [3]. They should also be able to write their name, identify basic shapes and colours, and understand basic number concepts [4].
In addition to academic skills, social-emotional skills are equally important. A child starting kindergarten should be able to share, take turns, ask for things, and practice active listening. These skills foster cooperation and communication in a group learning environment [1][5].
Motor skills are also essential. A child should have fine motor control for writing and manipulating objects, such as holding crayons or using scissors. They should also be able to perform personal care tasks like putting on shoes and washing hands independently [1][3][5].
Other important areas include language skills (both verbal and non-verbal communication), cognitive skills like problem-solving and memory, and self-regulation skills including managing emotions and behaviour in a group setting [1][2]. Establishing positive routines and fostering confidence through naming emotions and encouraging self-talk can help children adjust better to the kindergarten environment [2][3].
Creating a supportive home learning environment with designated study space, books, and educational activities can greatly aid these skill developments [1]. Remember, whether a child measures "ahead" or "behind" seems more a matter for textbooks than for practice [6].
Kindergarten teachers do not do diapers, and a child must be potty trained before the first day of school. Accidents happen, but a child must be able to take care of their own bathroom needs effectively and consistently in kindergarten [7].
Effective communication is critical for a child's involvement in class during kindergarten. A child should be able to speak in mostly complete sentences and pronounce words correctly for a stranger to understand them [8].
By focusing on these essential skills and providing a supportive home learning environment, you can help your child thrive in kindergarten and set the foundation for a successful educational journey.
References:
[1] Zero to Three. (2021). Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten: Social-Emotional Skills. Retrieved from https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1196-preparing-your-child-for-kindergarten-social-emotional-skills
[2] Understood. (2021). Kindergarten Readiness: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/child-development/getting-ready-for-kindergarten/kindergarten-readiness-what-you-need-to-know
[3] Scholastic. (2021). Kindergarten Readiness: What Your Child Should Know. Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/kindergarten-readiness-what-your-child-should-know/
[4] PBS Kids. (2021). Kindergarten Readiness: What Your Child Should Know. Retrieved from https://pbskids.org/itsmylife/articles/kindergarten-readiness/
[5] National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2021). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Kindergarten. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/developmentally-appropriate-practice/dap-in-kindergarten
[6] The Conversation. (2021). Kindergarten readiness: Why it's important, and how to help your child get there. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/kindergarten-readiness-why-its-important-and-how-to-help-your-child-get-there-127644
[7] Parents. (2021). Kindergarten Readiness: Potty Training. Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/social/kindergarten-readiness-potty-training/
[8] Understood. (2021). Kindergarten Readiness: Communication Skills. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/child-development/getting-ready-for-kindergarten/kindergarten-readiness-communication-skills
- To complement academic skills, it's important to nurture a child's social-emotional skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and active listening, which are essential for cooperation and communication in a group learning environment.
- In addition to recognizing letters, counting, and early reading skills, a child should have developed fine motor skills for handling tools like scissors and crayons, and be able to perform personal tasks like dressing and washing hands independent of help.
- A supportive home learning environment with educational activities and resources can aid in the development of various essential skills, ensuring a strong foundation for a child's successful educational journey, beyond just academic learning areas like math, science, and language arts. This includes home-and-garden, entertainment, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and even learning through books and materials related to money management or other life skills.
