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Dear Parents,
While children may all go through predictable stages in the same order, they will not all go through them at the same rate. Normal differences in development can span two chronological years. Development and intelligence do not proceed at the same rate. A very bright youngster can mature slowly in physical and social development. A child of average or below average or below average intelligence may be ahead in physical and social development. Intelligence in music, mechanical ability, or the arts may move ahead of more traditional intelligence.
Learning seems to come in spurts and be followed by periods of strengthening through practice. Children's growth and development follow reasonably predictable patterns; however, parents should not compare one child with any other child, be it a sibling, friend, or relative.
The following information is meant as a guide to help you understand what will be expected of your child, and how you should best prepare your child prior to entering Kindergarten.
Wood, Chip. Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14, A Resource for Parents and Teachers, Northeast Foundation for Children; 1997.
Kindergarten will be an exciting and challenging experience for your child. To make the most of this experience, your child should:
- Communicate ideas and feelings to adults and other children
- Work, share, and play in a cooperative manner
- Speak in respectful, intelligible, grammatically correct sentences
- Wait his/her turn to speak
- Be able to sit down and listen
- Obey basic group rules
- Follow one and two part directions
- Finish assignments and tasks
- Make smooth transitions from one activity to another
- Use materials such as glue, pencils, scissors and crayons appropriately
- Be familiar with days of the week
- Use books appropriately
- Know and write first and last name, preferably with lower case letters
- Use proper pencil grip
- Know colors and basic shapes
- Count and recognize numbers to 10
- Identify letters of the alphabet in isolation and out of order
- Put on and take off coat, boots, hat, mittens etc.
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; use tissue appropriately
- Have independent bathroom skills
- Use zippers and buttons
Some young children are able to ride bikes and others are able to tie shoes. There are a variety of skills that children attain; however, no preschooler can or should be expected to do everything. Your child should be celebrated for who he is and not compared to anyone else. Try to do and say things that will boost your child's confidence.
ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE DONE ANYTIME
- Start up conversations with your child whenever you are together -- for example, at dinner, at the grocery store, or in the car. A lot can be learned in the car such as directions, signs, and whatever you happen to see.
- After a TV program or reading aloud to your child, ask your child to tell you about the story -- what happened first, next, and last.
- Help your child learn how to describe things, not just name them. Point out "the small blue sedan," rather than "the car."
- Visit the library regularly and let your child pick out the books. When you read together, try to get her/him to tell you what is happening by looking at the pictures.
- Help your child learn to recognize his/her own name by printing it on his drawings.
- Let her/him pick out the clothes she/he is going to wear each day. Give options without overwhelming your child.
- Teach your child your family's phone number and address.
Compiled by the LaGrange Elementary School Action Team
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