| Within the next few months parents everywhere | | | | - Describe and talk about objects that have |
| will be making the decision of whether their | | | | different sizes, colors, shapes, and patterns |
| children are ready for kindergarten in the fall, | | | | - Sorting items by whether or not they are the |
| where they will send them and what to expect | | | | same |
| when they get there. Reading the newspapers | | | | - Sort items from shortest to tallest, lightest to |
| these days and you think your child has to read, | | | | heaviest, smallest to largest |
| write and count to 1000 to start kindergarten. Not | | | | What are some things you can do to get your |
| true say the experts. Young children need to do a | | | | child ready for kindergarten? |
| number of things including paying attention, | | | | |
| listening to stories and recognizing numbers to 10 | | | | 1. Send your child to preschool if possible. He or |
| in order to be ready for kindergarten. Here are | | | | she will get used to routines, rules and gain basic |
| some additional readiness skills that are | | | | skills. Be sure that the school is a readiness |
| recommended by the Connecticut Department of | | | | program and is licensed by the state, if you are |
| Education. Every state and town are different, | | | | not sure check with your local Board of Education. |
| you should always check with your local board of | | | | 2. Talk, talk, talk to your child all the time. Discuss |
| education and elementary school for their | | | | everything in the car at home, family outings, etc. |
| recommendations. | | | | Your child needs to hear you talking and them |
| Behavior Expectations | | | | responding to what you are planning, seeing, doing, |
| - Follows adult directions | | | | or thinking. |
| - Cooperates with a daily routine | | | | 3. Use new words often and explain them to your |
| - Potty-trained and can use the bathroom by him | | | | child. |
| or herself | | | | 4. Ask your child questions and engage them in |
| - Understands that actions have consequences | | | | conversation. Listen to what he or she is saying. |
| - Takes turns | | | | This is how their language and vocabulary |
| - Maintains self-control | | | | develops. |
| - Expresses feelings | | | | 5. Sing with your child, they are fun to listen and |
| - Works with others | | | | dance to. Nursery rhymes are great for rhyming |
| Physical Skills | | | | words. |
| - Walks/runs with control | | | | 6. Read to your child every day. |
| - Hops, jumps, marches and climbs stairs | | | | 7. Let your child see you read. |
| - Can throw and catch a ball | | | | 8. Go to the library and pick out books together. |
| - Completes simple puzzles | | | | 9. Have your child retell you stories your just read |
| - Cuts with scissors | | | | and what their favorite part was. |
| - Pastes | | | | 10. Read your child's favorites over and over. Use |
| - Walks on a straight line | | | | different voices. |
| - Dresses self | | | | 11. Read wherever you are. Store names, |
| - Reads own name | | | | restaurants, signs on the road (when in the car), |
| - Draws simple pictures | | | | cereal boxes, names of things in the supermarket. |
| - Copy and prints his or her first name | | | | 12. Speak and answer questions in complete |
| Pre-Reading Abilities | | | | sentences. |
| - Listens to a story and can tell something about | | | | 13. Count when around the house and in the |
| it | | | | store. Count beads, blocks, cups, people, anything |
| - Look at a picture and tell a story about what is | | | | you can count. |
| happening | | | | What to do if you do not think your child is ready |
| - Share stories about family and themselves | | | | for kindergarten? |
| - Recognizes colors and some words (blue, red, | | | | Contact your local school district or elementary |
| orange) | | | | school to talk to someone regarding your child. |
| - Can pick out favorite books and describe why | | | | They can meet with you and your child (and do |
| he or she likes it | | | | necessary assessments) to determine if your |
| - Identifies letters of the alphabet | | | | child is ready or needs an extra year. If he or she |
| - Recognizes sounds of letters | | | | is already enrolled in preschool talk to the teacher |
| - Can rhyme or pick out words that rhyme when | | | | regarding your concerns. If you decide to wait an |
| spoken | | | | extra year for kindergarten enroll your child in |
| Language Skills | | | | preschool. The early years of school are very |
| - Expresses feelings and speaks understandably | | | | important to develop a love of learning and |
| - Uses multiple word sentences | | | | getting along with others. Starting your child at the |
| - Asks lots of questions | | | | right time will make your child happier and more |
| - Identifies some body parts | | | | successful in the long run. |
| - Knows and refers to self using first and last | | | | Note: If you child has been determined to have |
| name | | | | any special needs or a developmental delay, your |
| - Answers when asked name and age | | | | child is entitled to special education services which |
| Math Skills | | | | includes preschool where they will work on the |
| - Count up to ten items | | | | above mentioned skills. A meeting will be held and |
| - Recognize number symbols 1-10 | | | | an Early Intervention Plan (EIP)will be developed to |
| - Recognize simple patterns and duplicate or | | | | determine how the team can best help your child |
| extend them | | | | succeed. |