Things your Kindergartner should know before school

Top 12 things to know:

1. Be able to state first and last name when asked

2. Be able to write their first name with the first letter capital and the rest lower case

3. Use appropriate three-finger grasp when using instruments like pencils, crayons and scissors

4. Know the names of the letters in their first name

5. Count to thirty

6. Identify basic shapes such as circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, star, heart, rhombus

7. Know basic colors

8. Make some letter/sound matches

9. Identify most upper and lowercase letters

10. Use a finger to count and touch items to 10

11.  Be able to rhyme words

12.  Retell simple stories in sequential order

Socially your child should be able to:

1. Adjust their own clothing before and after the restroom

2. Use the restroom independently and wash their hands

3. Sit for a story for 5-10 minutes

​4. Share materials and toys with other children

5. Be confident and ready to separate from parent

6. Listen and follow 2-3 step directions

7. Solve problems without aggression

Help prepare your child by:

1. Go to interesting places like a park, farm or zoo and encourage children

to identify and discuss the shapes and things that they see

2.Encourage children to observe and talk about their experiences 

3.Make eye contact with your child while listening to them speak

4.  Read to them every day

5. Praise and encourage their efforts and their curiosity