Fall Creek Elementary School

Before you begin, remember:

*You are your child's first and most important teacher.
*Each day your child is learning as you talk, play and work together.
*Readiness is a combination of age, growth, and experience.
*Your child will develop at his or her own rate; however, your involvement will promote readiness.
*Your child will learn by doing.
*Remember that play is an essential part of learning.

This is designed to help you look at your child's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. This list contains items that are important to your child's success in Kindergarten.

Part 1: Concept Development

Tips for helping young children construct their own understanding of concepts as they interact and work with materials, people, events and ideas:

*Provide age appropriate toys which require thinking.  This includes puzzles, blocks or sorting toys.
*Save scraps, boxes and other things around the house to use for creative experiences.
*Count objects around the house, such as plates and forks for the table, crackers for snacks, toys to play with.
*Play games with your child using words such as: "Put the ball on the chair" and "Get the fork from   in the drawer."
*Play Simon Says.  For example: Simon says, "Put your hands on your knees."  Simon says, "Put your hands over your head."

Part 2: Physical Development

Tips to help children with physical development.  Children need physical skills to be successful in school.  Daily opportunities to use large and small muscles should be provided on a daily basis.

* Take your child to the park to play on outdoor equipment.
* Allow your child time to dress her/himself.
* Provide experience with scissors such as cutting pictures from a magazine.
* Provide opportunities to use crayons, markers, pencils and pens.
* Provide opportunities for your child to experiment with balls, tricycles and jump ropes.

Part 3 : Health and Safety

  
Tips to help children be safe and healthy.  "Children must have their basic needs for health care and nutrition met if they are to be prepared to achieve in school."   

  -Marian Wright Edelman

* Make sure your child has regular medical check ups and up-to-date shots.
* Remember trips to the dentist and regular teeth brushing.
* Provide opportunities for your child to get exercise.
* Teach your child to swim or take him/her to swimming lessons.
* Model and encourage healthy eating, and limit junk food.
* Teach your child simple safety rules (fire, traffic, bicycle, poison).
* Keep a watchful eye on you child and remove hazards from home and outdoors.
* Practice emergency situations to use 911 and have home fire drills.
* Alert your child to the dangers of strangers and drugs.

Part 4: Number Concept Development

Tips for developing number concepts.  The development of number concepts -- classifying, ordering, counting and time and space relationships- is directly related to children's ability to perform mathematical tasks throughout their school years and the rest of their lives.  It is important to help children feel confident in dealing with number tasks.

* Let your child set the table ("How many forks do we need? "How many chairs?").
* Provide opportunities to put away groceries.
* Provide opportunities to compare objects.
* Set up a routine or sequence for personal care.
* Provide objects or toys for play.

Part 5: Language

Tips for helping with the development of language abilities-  listening, speaking, reading, writing- is critical to children's success throughout their school years and the rest of their lives.  It is tied to everything children learn or do in school.  Parents can support the development of language abilities by talking with and listening to children as they share their ideas and experiences.

* Talk with your child about what interests him or her.
* Use questions which have more than one answer such as: "What do you think?"  "How would you  

  feel?"
* Play rhyming games.
* Let your child know what he/she says is important.  You do this by listening to your child.
* Get down at eye level and show your interest.
* Encourage other members of the family to listen.
* Encourage your child to develop and share ideas by asking questions and offering suggestions.

Part 6: Reading

Tips for helping children with reading.  Reading a book to children is an enjoyable and interesting experience.  It should be part of the daily family routine. It is the most important way in which parents can help children learn to read.

* Provide a wide variety of books for your child, including nursery rhymes and fairy tales.
* Obtain a library card for your child.
* Provide a special place for your child to keep his/her books.
* Give your child books as presents.
* Make reading a part of your daily routine.
* Provide a wide variety of reading materials (magazines, newspapers etc.).
* Accept your child's "pretend reading."
* Point out print in the environment (signs, cereal boxes, restaurants).
* Read your child's favorite stories over and over again.
* Allow your child to select the story that he/she would like to hear.
* Sing familiar songs and stories (Old MacDonald, Itsy Bitsy Spider, etc.).
 

Part 7: Writing

Tips for writing with your child.  To become skilled, lifelong writers, children need encouragement and support as they begin the writing process.  They'll play at writing like they play at reading.  Ask them to read what they've written.  Children go through various stages of writing development.  These stages include scribbling, drawing pictures and pretend writing.

* Provide your child with materials (crayons, pencils, paper) and a space for writing.
* Focus on what your child can do.
* Have a place to display your child's writing efforts.
* Watch your child as he/she writes.
* Answer your child's questions about writing.
* Accept your child's trial and error (scribbles, pictures, alphabet soup).
* Make signs to label objects in your child's room or other rooms in the house.
* Let your child see you write.
* Encourage your child to read his/her writing to you.
* Provide magnetic letters for your child to practice forming his/her name and words he/she wants to

   know.
* Encourage your child to invent his/her own spelling for words ( shopping lists, reminder notes,

   messages, signs, stories).

Special Note:
               Remember to respond to the message and content of what your child is writing about, not how it looks on the surface.  Writing is not just copying.  By providing opportunities to write as part of your daily family routine, you will keep your child interested and excited about writing.

Part 8: Reading To Your Child

  It is important to read to your child every day.

Tips on reading to your child.

Part 9: Social & Emotional Development

Tips Families can help their children be socially ready for school by giving them the opportunity to be part of a group of children, whether in a playground or a preschool classroom.  Children need to know how to take turns, make compromises, approach familiar children, respect those in authority (principals and teachers) and generally be nice to others.  Here are some tips:

  There is no one quality or skill that children need to do well in Kindergarten, a combination of factors contribute to school success.  These include physical well being, social and emotional maturity, language skills, an ability to solve problems and think creatively and a general knowledgeabout the world.  School success also depends upon the "match" between children's skills and knowledge and the expectations of the school.  At Fall Creek Elementary School, our goal is for every child to succeed.  By taking advantage of the *Tips given to you in this checklist, you will promote a good match for your child.  KINDERGARTEN is a significant step on the path of education.  A little consideration and planning on your part can make this step a rewarding and successful time for your child.

Adapted from: M. Griffin