Top Eleven Things To Do To Get Your Child Ready To Start Kindergarten

1.     Read, read, read to your child. It will help develop their vocabulary as well as a love of books.

2.    Teach them to be self-sufficient – to tie their shoes, to button or zip their coat.  With more time spent on early academics in kindergarten, there’s less time to teach these self-help skills.

3.     Give them opportunities to be creative with paper, crayons, and scissors. This will help develop fine motor skills as well as their imagination.

4.     Encourage them to play outside so they can develop gross motor skills by hopping, skipping, and jumping

5.     Teach them how to write their first name, and to know the letters in their name.  The more familiar they are with the upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet, the easier the transition into reading and writing.

6.     Teach them the difference between their First name and Last name.

7.    Teach them colors, shapes (circle, square, rectangle, and triangle), and how to count to at least ten.

8.    Give them opportunities to play with other children so they will learn to share and take turns.

9.    Teach them to follow directions, to accept limits and rules, and to accept consequences for their behavior

10.     Talk to your child as a solid background in language and vocabulary is very helpful.

11.      Give your child opportunities to use their imagination in their play. Let them play “dress up” and assume other roles.

Adapted from “Top 10 Things Kids Need to Start Kindergarten” by Jody Temkin in The Chicago Tribune, April 24, 2005.