Kindergarten Readiness

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Kindergarten Readiness
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Definition of Readiness

• Readiness for school is the degree to which a
  child is capable of benefiting from the goals,
  expectations, and activities of a kindergarten
  program.
• School readiness is defined as the skills,
  knowledge, behaviors, and accomplishments that
  children know and can do as they enter
  kindergarten.

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• The shift to a more academic focus with increased
  curriculum and expectations has fueled the trend
  to delay kindergarten entrance for children who
  have fall, and even summer, birthdates.

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• School entrance dates vary from state to state
  and are an arbitrary guideline when seen in the
  context of kindergarten readiness.

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Advantages to Delaying Kindergarten

• Provides an academic advantage which may be
  long-term
• Provides an opportunity to mature and develop
  cognitively, socially, and emotionally
• Increase in childs self-confidence as a learner
• Decrease in the need for remedial services

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Disadvantages to Delaying Kindergarten

• Academic advantage not apparent or may not be
  long-term
• Children older than classmates may feel out of
  sync

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• Development is determined by the childs
  chronological age and occurs in sequential
  stages, but within these stages there is
  variation from child to child. Therefore,
  chronological age is not the best indicator of
  readiness.

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• Readiness is strongly impacted by the childs
  experiences in his/her environment.

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• Readiness involves more than the knowledge of
  academic skills.

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Readiness includes a variety of social and
emotional behaviors and learning dispositions

• Following directions
• Listening with an appropriate attention span
• Working independently
• Staying with an activity to completion

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• Feeling comfortable in a group setting
• Being able to adjust to new situations
• Willing to try something new
• Having self-confidence to handle the demands of
  school
• Being able to take turns and share
• Interacting appropriately with peers and adults

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• Being able to care for self and belongings
• Following rules and routines
• Respecting the property and feelings of others
• Being able to work within the space and time
  constraints of the school environment

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• Knowing the difference between work and play
• Having good language capabilities
• Having good problem-solving abilities
• Using good small motor skills
• Having an attentive, eager and curious attitude
  toward learning

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In making your decision about your childs
readiness, you should gather information from
many sources

• Preschool and other teachers
• Resource books and materials
• Kindergarten visit and ask questions
• Kindergarten screening
• Yourself trust your gut

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Five Learning Guidelines to Help Your Child Be
Successful in Kindergarten

• Talk to your child
• Read to your child
• Sing to your child
• Play games with your child
• Go places with your child

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What else can you do to prepare your child for
kindergarten?

• Turn off the TV and videos
• Give children responsibilities
• Give children social experiences
• Have a schedule
• Introduce them to school supplies

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Written and Narrated byMarcia ZwartPreschool
TeacherHCS- Rose Park Campus