Signs of Kindergarten Readiness
Conceptual, Physical, Social and Emotional Readiness
Is your child ready for kindergarten? Signs of kindergarten readiness for parents and educators
Transitioning from preschool to kindergarten is a monumental stage in a child’s life. While there is no perfect blueprint for kindergarten readiness, there are signs parents and educators can look for in the areas of concept, physical, social, and emotional development.
Concept Development
Children who are ready for kindergarten should be able to identify colors, some shapes, and be able to recognize their own name in print, according to Dr. Gloria Rothenberg, clinical psychologist and school psychologist at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Kindergarten Center in New York.
“Children should have had exposure to letters of the alphabet and that letters are connected to words which are connected to objects that they name,” says Dr. Rothenberg. They should have been exposed to some number ideas and be able to identify numerals 1-10 in print. In addition, a child who is ready for kindergarten should be able to understand and use imaginary play schemes and be able to learn the idea of safety.
Parents can facilitate concept development by reading with their child. “Reading with your child and helping them understand that letters have important meaning will help you child begin to think abstractly,” says Kirstin Parsons of Get Set for SchoolTM , a new curriculum focused on helping preschool children prepare for kindergarten.
Physical Development
Good motor skills are an important aspect of kindergarten readiness, according to Stacey Kannenberg, co-author of the award winning, California and Texas Approved books Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten! and Let's Get Ready For First Grade.
Likewise, Parsons stresses that both gross and fine motor skill development is important for children to be able to explore, participate and interact in the environment. Movements that accompany songs, such as “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” help develop these skills. “Being able to imitate a teacher’s actions is an important foundation for success,” says Parsons.
In addition, Dr. Rothenberg suggests kindergarten-ready children should be able to:
- Walk up and down stairs independently
- Use the bathroom (including knowing when they need to use the bathroom) and wash own hands independently
- Eat and drink independently
- Handle some fasteners on clothes and dress themselves with minimal assistance
- Sit in one place for 10 minutes
- Manage a seat belt on a school bus
Social and Emotional Development
In terms of social development, some signs of kindergarten readiness are the “ability to share, to take turns, and to answer questions with more than a yes or no response”, says Kannenberg.
In addition, Parsons adds they should be able to follow simple instructions, wait in line and participate in group activities. “They should be taught a sense of belonging and an eagerness to participate and learn. The ability to understand and respond to their classmates and teachers is critical to success,” says Parsons.
Emotionally, some signs of kindergarten readiness include being able to delay gratification of wishes. Dr. Rothenberg advises that children should be able to use words (not grabbing, hitting, crying or whining) to make requests and express preferences instead of grabbing hitting, crying or whining. In addition, a kindergarten ready child should be able to accept comfort from adults when upset.
For more information about kindergarten readiness, see Kindergarten Readiness Programs.
