When is your Child Ready for

Kindergarten?

When it comes time for kindergarten readiness, an early childhood education center can make sure that your child has the skills they need to succeed! Although there is no national standard for what children should know prior to entering kindergarten, the more skills they have started, the more successful and confident they will be.

Below is a list of guidelines for skills your child should have prior to entering kindergarten:

Your child should be able to take care of their own personal needs. This includes blowing their nose, using the bathroom, washing their hands, dressing and undressing themselves, and eating without assistance. The more your child can do for themselves, the better! This independence gives them the security and confidence they will need to easily adapt to the new environment of their kindergarten classroom.

Your child should be able to sit for short periods of time, listen to and follow directions, and learn simple classroom rules. They should be able to play cooperatively with children and problem-solve without hitting or biting. Although these kindergarten readiness skills are often still emerging when children go to kindergarten, a good foundation with these concepts will lessen frustration, helping them to make friends and have more fun!

Your child should have an interest in books, holding them correctly and turning the pages without tearing them. They should know some letters, particularly those in their own name, and should be pretending to write. Although they probably can't read very much, they should be able to identify familiar signs in their environment, such as "Stop" or "McDonalds".

Your child should have a language explosion by this age! Children at this stage should be able to tell stories about their experiences, as well as communicate their personal needs. They should know and sing a few songs or rhymes, and play rhyming games. They should be familiar with using crayons, pencils, and scissors, and should be using their drawing skills to convey or express ideas.

Your child should sleep through the night for eight or more hours. They should be used to regular meal times and a daily routine. Children also need time to exercise and move their bodies, so your child, provided he is able, should be able to run, jump, climb, swing, kick, and throw a ball. Being used to having a balance between scheduled time and play time gives your child the predictability that they need during their day to feel comfortable and successful.

When it comes to kindergarten readiness, we all want our child to have all the skills they need to be confident and successful for the big changes that lie ahead. Fortunately, a quality childcare center like Bright Start Academy will work with the surrounding schools in the district to ensure that they are helping your child prepare for kindergarten when the time comes.

To know more about the readiness of your child for kindergartens, visit:

Bright Start Academy