Excitement and anxiety frame the mental snapshot that many parents have in sending their children to kindergarten. As you make preparations for your child's first formal academic experience, alleviate a source of parental anxiety by learning about kindergarten readiness skills and how they relate to your child. Variability among young children make a single factor such as chronological age a poor predictor of kindergarten readiness, says the National Association of School Psychologists.
Developmental Age
A child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual skills determine her developmental age or stage of development. Dr. Arnold Gesell, a trailblazer in the study of child development, advocated that a child's developmental age may match, exceed or lag behind the child's chronological age. Your child may exhibit varying competencies among these areas. For example, a child who demonstrates advanced intellectual skills may struggle with emotional development and social skills. Every child proceeds differently through stages of development.
Teacher Expectations
When Scholastic asked five kindergarten teachers to share prerequisite readiness skills, their responses included a variety of competencies. Surprisingly, academics did not dominate the teachers' suggestions. Responding to new experiences with spontaneous curiosity, demonstrating self-help skills and a willingness to listen facilitate kindergarten success. Interacting with others through sharing, compromising, taking turns and working in groups help kindergarten children coexist with peers in a classroom setting. The cutting, drawing, gluing and holding a pencil included in daily kindergarten activities require fine-motor skills.
Determining Kindergarten Readiness
When considering your child's developmental readiness for kindergarten, consider her social, emotional, physical and intellectual developmental competencies and how they relate to the school's expectations. Expectations can vary among kindergarten classes and teachers. Observe kindergarten children in the school where you plan to enroll your child and note the types of skills the children demonstrate. Discuss your concerns with the school's principal and teachers to provide additional information about your child's developmental readiness.
Building Readiness
The National Association of School Psychologists indicates that parents increase their children's kindergarten readiness skills by reading to them, initiating conversations and utilizing disciplinary interventions such as time-outs. Children benefit from a loving home environment that includes a routine schedule, play and cuddling. Promote your child's natural curiosity by encouraging her questions and providing opportunities for novel experiences. Reward appropriate social behavior and practice problem-solving what-if scenarios with your child.
References
- BabyCenter: Kindergarten Readiness: Is Your Child Ready for School?
- Scholastic; Ready for Kindergarten?; Ellen H. Parlapiano
- Education: How Will I Know When My Child Is Ready to Start School?
- Education: What Does My Child's Stage of Development Have to Do With His Readiness for School?
- National Association of School Psychologists; School Readiness - Preparing Children for Kindergarten and Beyond: Information for Parents; Mary Ann Rafoth, et al.; 2004
