When February and March roll around, parents in Southeastern Pennsylvania start to think about registering their little ones for preschool and kindergarten. Often parents ask “How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?” In any kindergarten classroom there could be a vast range in age and developmental abilities. A few things to consider are: Can your child listen to a story without interrupting? Can your child handle using scissors and writing implements by themselves? Does your child adapt easily to new situations or to meeting new people? Does he/she recognize some numerals and letters? Can he/she express themselves or their feelings verbally? Do they take care of bathroom needs on their own? Can your child follow two or three step directions? Is your child easily understood by others?
Although the answers to these questions do not solely determine a child’s readiness they can give you a general idea of what your child will need to be able to flourish in a large classroom setting. Like children, each school district as well as each kindergarten classroom is different. Each district and classroom has different expectations. However, most kindergarten classrooms do have 15- 30 children. Your child should be able to function somewhat independently. It is advisable to talk to your child’s preschool teacher, if they have one. Talk to parents of present kindergartners to see what their experience has been and what you can expect for your child. You can also talk to your pediatrician about your child’s development. Visit a kindergarten classroom. Some districts provide guidelines on their websites or through the district offices. After doing your research and gathering information, consider what you know about your child. Then use all of this information to make the best decision for your child.
Some websites with more information:
http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/kindergarten-readiness-checklist.htm
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/preschoolagechildren/a/0807_kndrgn_rdy.htm
http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/parents-guide-to-kindergarten.htm
http://www.babycenter.com/0_kindergarten-readiness-is-your-child-ready-for-school_67232.bc
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