by Marcy Escott and Vicki Teitlbaum
During the pre-k year, the primary goal is to prepare your child for kindergarten in all domains: socially, emotionally and academically. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding kindergarten readiness, there are some commonly-held expectations that include, but are not limited to, the following:
Following simple directions. Your child should be able to listen to the teacher and complete multi-step tasks with consistency.
Sitting still. Your child should be able to sit, remaining in one spot long enough to listen to a story and participate in circle-time and other class activities.
Recognizing letters. Your child should be able to recognize most, if not all, of the letters of the alphabet, particularly the letters of their name. In any pre-k program, there should be lots of laughter and fun in learning.
Progressing gross motor skills. Most kindergarten children are able to run, skip, jump with feet together, hop while balancing on one foot, climb stairs with alternating feet, walk backward, bounce a kickball, and attempt a two-handed catch of a kickball. To help develop these skills in your child, look for programs that incorporate time spent in a large muscle room, the playground and physical education.
Progressing fine motor skills. Children should be able to hold a pencil/crayon in a non-fisted grip, control scissors to complete an intentional task, trace lines and basic shapes, and copy basic figures such as a circle, square and a straight line. In pre-k, these skills are emphasized through journaling and other art-related activities.
Socialization. Sharing and taking turns are critical skills for moving into kindergarten. Taking turns and cooperating with each other aren’t specific to any particular activity — the skills must be used at school and out in the world.
Showing an interest in learning. In kindergarten, the daily routine is filled with stories, music, individual book time, learning about the world and community, and so much more. Bring the world of music and literature into your home as much as possible to help stimulate your child’s imagination. Join in his or her play and exploration to deepen and enhance curiosity.
Marcy Escott and Vicki Teitlbaum are pre-k teachers at Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike
