5 Signs Your Child is Ready for Kindergarten

Is your child ready to start kindergarten? While your child might be the right age to begin, the academic testing and requirements for kindergarten have increased dramatically in the last few years. With kindergarten looking so different from what most parents remember, here are five signs that your child is ready for kindergarten:

 

Follows Directions

When thinking about enrolling your child in kindergarten, it is important to gauge whether they will be able to listen to a teacher. They should be able to follow very simple instructions to ensure that they can behave in the classroom and allow learning for all students without interruption. At this age it is not expected that kids are able to follow complex directions of multiple steps, but simply one or two steps at a time. 

 

Uses the Restroom

In kindergarten, knowing when to use the restroom and being able to manage it by themselves is expected and required by schools and teachers. 

 

Recognizes Some Numbers and Letters

Your child does not need to come into the classroom already knowing how to read. They should be able to recognize some letters and numbers, but there is not a precise measurement of how many should be learnt before beginning kindergarten. Each child learns at their own pace, especially at this age, so differences in speed are expected.

 

Basic Motor Skill Practice

While mental growth is extremely important at that young age, physical growth should be monitored as well. Incoming kindergartners should have some experience with basic motor skills, such as running, catching, and using a writing utensil. These are skills that are usually practiced in preschool programs but may also take some children longer to master. 

 

Gets Along With Others

Ideally, kindergarteners should be familiar with getting along with others, sharing, and handling their emotions. All of these are skills that even adults may struggle with at times, but it is important to begin to familiarize your children with these concepts as they begin their schooling. Of course incidents do occur, but ideally they should be avoided when possible to ensure the focus is on classroom learning. 

 

Are you still unsure if your child is ready for kindergarten? Have a childcare professional assist you in the evaluation. Geo-Anna Q. Hirshenbaum PhD, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, provides extensive kindergarten readiness testing in The Woodlands, Texas. 

 

Through careful analysis, Dr. Hirshenbaum’s assessment process allows for diagnostic clarity and individualized recommendations to move forward in pinpointing issues of distress, planning effective treatment, and reaching personal goals. For a free consultation or to schedule a kindergarten readiness assessment, contact us today! 

 

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