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Kindergarten here we come!

Kade started Kindergarten on Monday. I was prepared for lots of clinging, and some pleas of, "dont go yet!" or, "just one more hug and kiss!". We walked into the classroom and to my surprise, Kade just ran over to his spot on the rug and sat down, without a backwards glance! He waved over his shoulder, actually it looked more like he was shooing me away. So I left, without my hug and kiss, feeling a tiny bit dejected, but mostly relieved and proud. I got plenty of hugs and kisses when I picked him up 3.5 hours later, and was happy to hear that he couldnt wait to go back the next day. Now the first day of kindergarten is over, that day well both remember for the rest of our lives, that milestone that seemed so far away once. That day has passed, and now the bright future lies ahead.

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Kindergarten Readiness

Ive been looking ahead to next year as we prepare to have my oldest daughter start kindergarten (public school kindergarten). I came across this Kindergarten Readiness list while searching for our states kindergarten standards. Below is a list that was used to assess the readiness of Vermont Kindergarten children during the first two weeks of school. I know each state has its own standards and expectations (and some are very different than the ones listed here), but I feel this list covers a majority of the expectations for Kindergarten readiness in public schools and may be helpful for those wondering about their childs Kindergarten readiness.

Social-Emotional Development

Plays cooperatively with different children
Separates easily from parent/caregiver
Uses problem solving skills in social situations
Appropriately expresses feelings and needs
Adapts to transitions within the school day
Interacts positively with adults in the classroom

Approaches to Learning

Can persist in a self-directed activity for at least 15 minutes
Appears enthusiastic and interested in classroom activities
Uses a variety of learning strategies in the classroom
Is able to pay attention during teacher directed group activities for approximately 15 minutes
Knows when and how to use adults as a resource
Initiates activities in classroom
Shows curiosity (asks questions, probes, tries new things)

Communications

Follows simple classroom rules and instructions with reminders
Communicates needs, wants or thoughts in his/her primary language
Engages in conversation (complete sentences, turn-taking, etc)
Understands simple directions, requests and information

Cognitive Development

Shows awareness of how books are organized and used
Can recall and explain a sequence of events (retelling a story, recalling a recent activity)
Recognizes his/her most commonly used name in print
Engages in imaginative play
Shows ability to discriminate and identify speech sounds
Recognizes 10 or more letters of the alphabet
Uses scribbles, symbols or letters to write or represent words or ideas
Shows the ability to count 5 or more objects using one-to-one correspondence
Can identify several basic geometric shapes (e.g. square, circle, triangle, rectangle)

Physical Health and Development

Demonstrates age appropriate self-help skills (dressing, toileting, washing hands)

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