Kindergarten is an exciting time in a child’s life. When children start Kindergarten they are beginning their educational journey that will span years. While there is no specific way to prepare your child for this transition there are ways to help them build confidence in their skills that will set them up for success.

 

By developing your child’s fine motor, math, technology, social/emotional and language and literacy skills, you are ensuring they have the skills to thrive in school. Keeping in mind that every child grows, develops, and learns at their own pace. By following PA Virtual’s Kindergarten Readiness Checklist you and your child will work on skills that are essential in a Kindergarten classroom. Your child may already be successful with some skills, but may need more time to develop others. The aim is to give your child plenty of opportunities to practice and learn these skills, so they feel self-assured as they begin their first year of school.

 

Fine Motor Skills involve the coordination of small muscles in the hands, wrists, and fingers with the eyes to perform precise movement. This includes holding writing instruments and scissors easily, tracing basic shapes and lines, turning pages in a book, and putting together simple puzzles.

 

Math Skills is the ability used to understand, apply, and reason with numbers, patterns, and logical structures to solve problems. This includes counting to ten, creating groups of up to 5 objects, placing objects together, identifying and naming shapes and colors, and using comparative words.

 

Technology Skills involve manipulating and the use of technology. This includes ability to focus on a computer screen, comfortable using a mouse and headphones, typing on a keyboard, respect for technology and familiarity talking to others via technology.

 

Social/Emotional Skills is the ability to understand, manage emotions, develop empathy, build relationships, and make ethical decisions. This includes trying new activities, taking turns, listening to others and showing concern for them, working independently or in groups, shows self-control when upset, responds to others and follows directions, modifies behavior based on feedback from others, waits patiently, and learns new routines quickly by reacting appropriately to changes.

 

Language/ Literacy Skills encompass listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This includes writing first name and recognizing it in print, listening to stories, speaking clearly and in complete sentences, expressing feelings and ideas, looking at pictures and telling stories about it, reciting the alphabet, knows positional vocabulary, identifies signs, recognizes rhymes and knows how to handle a book.

 

Along with these skills to help prepare for Kindergarten we encourage families to talk with their children about the fun things they will get to do in school, encourage their children to observe and discuss their experiences, praise and encourage your child’s efforts and curiosity, and create a bedtime routine a month before they begin Kindergarten to get them ready for a more structured day.

 

Beginning Kindergarten can be a terrifying and uneasy time for both parent and child, but it doesn’t have to be! By practicing these skills and making time to fully embrace the transition into Kindergarten your entire family will have an easier time with this monumental change.

 

Help your kindergartener start their educational journey with confidence! Discover PA Virtual’s Kindergarten program and the personalized support we provide.