Do you remember kindergarten? For most of us, it’s memories of naps, story time, coloring, learning your letters and how to spell your name; but the kindergarten experience of today is very different. By the time present day kindergarteners “graduate” into first grade they will be able to count to 100, do basic addition and subtraction, read and write simple words, and match letters to their sounds.
Kindergarten readiness is extremely important for young children, and it can be challenging to know if your child is on track. Let’s talk about some of the communication skills children will need before they begin kindergarten.
What Skills Are Needed To Be Prepared For Kindergarten?
Though the list of skills a child should have to be ready for kindergarten covers all aspects of development including motor skills, cognitive skills, and self-help skills, this list will focus on communication and language skills.
Answers simple questions
Follow three to four step directions
Take turns
Use sentences with four or more words
Recall what happens in a movie or story
Make comparisons such as big and small
Understanding how books work (holding correctly, understanding words go from left to right)
Close to 100% intelligibility to all listeners
Understands concepts of time (today, tomorrow, yesterday)
Participates in pretend play
How Can I Help My Child with Kindergarten Readiness?
Help develop independence at home. Encourage your child to clean up after themselves, put away their shoes and coats, open their snacks on their own, and get themselves dressed. These skills will help your child navigate the classroom and lunch room.
Develop and follow routines. Set up routines for the morning and evening, this can help with following directions and establishing independence.
Read to your child every day! Encourage them to ask questions about the story, ask them to describe what they see in pictures, emphasize words that rhyme, point out beginner sight words such as my, me, no, we, yes.
Get your child to help you with other literacy activities. Have your child help you make a shopping list, write thank you cards together, or just let them play with magnetic letters on the refrigerator. Get them comfortable with seeing words and letters beyond books.
Encourage your child to play with his or her peers! This is a great way for children to develop social skills, learn to take turns and share, develop listening skills and build self esteem.
How Can A Speech Language Pathologist Help?
If your child is nearing kindergarten age and you’re concerned about their speech and language development, a speech therapy evaluation can be very helpful in identifying your child’s communication strengths and possible weaknesses.
Our therapists will work with you to write appropriate and attainable goals to help your child be successful as they begin their educational journey.
To schedule an evaluation for a speech and language evaluation, contact our office at 919.238.9088 or go to our website (www.therapytreeservices.com) and click on the “Contact” link at the top of the page.
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