Five-year-olds are confident doers of exciting things. They’re not built for desk-sitting, as their busy brain craves action and novelty. While they should be ready for Kindergarten, they still need to play, move, and explore. Their childhood shouldn’t be rushed.
Make sure your child is Kindergarten-ready with this list of essential skills:
Copies or writes own name
Identifies rhyming words
Identifies beginning sounds in words
Identifies at least 13 letters of the alphabet
Completes basic responsibilities related to daily needs
Follows basic health and safety rules
Accepts guidance and directions from familiar adults
Follows daily routines and classroom rules
Follows directions and responds to limits set by teacher
Controls feelings of frustration, distress, and anxiety when challenged
Resolves conflicts in socially acceptable ways
Watches & listens to stories to completion
Stays on task during adult-directed activities
Sees a simple task to completion
Gives name, age, and gender upon request
Identifies 5 colors
Counts 5 objects, using one-to-one correspondence
Asks for help
Communicates needs and wants
Understands and follows directions
Listens to gather information
Uses speech that is understandable
Recognizes own name in isolated print
