Getting Ready for School

Many parents worry about what and how much their child should know before they arrive at school. There are no hard and fast rules for what teachers expect. It can differ from school to school. Some common skills kindergarten teachers lookfor a child to do:

  • Name and identify the four basic shapes.(squares, circles, triangles, rectangles)
  • Name and identify basic colors.(red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, white, black, brown)
  • Identify some letters in the alphabet and match some letter-sounds. Does he know the difference between numbers and letters? Can he find the letter A in random letters?
  • Count from one to tenand match one-to-one. Are there enough cookies for everyone to have one?
  • Recognize her printed name. Can she print her first name?
  • Put on coat,use bathroom, and wash hands with minimal help.With less adults per child, being as independent as possible, helps a child feel successful.
  • Get along with others.Does she use words like please, thank you and excuse me? Can she solve problems using words instead of hitting, or take a break to calm down?

When you work with your child in any of these areas, remember to make it fun!‘Drilling’ their ABC’s can be boring or intimidating. Children learn best when they are having fun. Point out shapes, colors, numbers and words during daily activities. Ask:

“Is your plate round or square?”

“How many carrots do we have for snack?”

Point out objects that start with the same sound (bowl, ball, bat)

Play “I Spy” something red… square… or starts with “ba” sound

Help your child make a sign with his name printed on itfor the door of his room or make a special T-shirt or sweatshirt together with her name on it.

Show your child how to put on a coat by laying it on the floor upside down, putting his hands in the sleeves and over his head.

Talk about sharing, taking turns, and handling anger.

Be and Stay Informed

It is important for you, as a parent, to also get ready for school. Contact your local elementary school and become familiar with the school policies, practices and expectations. Find out if they have a parent-teacher organization and get involved. Begin to build a relationship with the teacher. Studies show that informed and involved parents have a major impact on a child’s school success.

For additional ideas explore

Author/Editor: Patti Faughn, Family Life Educator, SpringfieldCenter, Fall 2006

For more information contact:

Angela Reinhart, Family Life Educator

University of Illinois Extension

Champaign CountyUnit

801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite D

Champaign, IL61821

217/333-7672

University of Illinois  US Dept of Agriculture

Local Extension Councils Cooperating

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.