What does my 4 year old need to learn this year?/

[edamommy]

My ds will go to kindergarten in a year. What will be expected of him upon entrance? He knows his abc. shapes. counts to 20. does simple math problems. He can write most of his name (although he's a lefty and does it backwards)...

Does anyone know!?!?

[hottmama]

I think he's already there and he'll naturally progress even further this year.

[spirit4ever]

I think he's already there too. My 5 yr old who goes to school in a month still doesn't really KNOW all that.. he definately can't spell his name... not that I haven't tried that's for sure!

[LilyGrace]

Check your school's website. Ours had a "suggested" list of:

Recognise at least 3 colors
Recognise written name (not necessarily be able to write it)
Know at least 5 letters of the alphabet
Know the written numbers to 10, oral to 20


But they focused more on the child and less on academic skills - were they comfortable being away from home? Could they be independent with basic skills - bathroom, dressing, lunches?

[OnTheBrink]

The academic stuff will come. You can help him prepare by making sure that he knows the following:

That being kind is very important.

That he can speak up when he needs something or has a question.

That his teacher cares about him and wants to help him.

That you will ALWAYS be his mommy, even when he's at school.

That he is wonderful and smart and exciting and good.

[DariusMom]

Great post, on the brink!

I'm always surprised when I read these posts-- no offense intended *at all* edamommy, because I realize how different it is here in Holland, where I live, vs. the States, where I'm originally from.

My DS, started pre-school/kindergarden (they go to one class from 4-6) this year. It is absolutely *not* expected that they be able to do anything at all, other than play and learn to be in a "school-like" environment. There is some introduction of ABCs, numbers, etc. but no "requirement" at all until they're six and ready to go to the Dutch version of 1st grade.

My DS is interested in numbers and the ABCs and such and we encourage that, in and out of school, but I think "requiring" something of such young kids isn't always very wise.

So .. . sorry not to answer the original question. It just already seems to me that the kid knows *a lot* compared to what it's expected that kids here know.

[Periwinkle]

My kids are entering a really great kindergarten in the fall. I attended a lecture a few months ago at registration, and all the teachers were there and the principal. There was a Q&A session where half the questions were parents asking variations on the question of the OP... does he need to know all his letters, does he need to count to 20, does he need to know what sounds letters make, does he need to write in upper and lower case... on and on.

Time and time again, the speakers (teachers & principal) said no to every question like that. And this is one of the the best kindergartens in the state. But they emphasized that the keys to kindergarten readiness have NOTHING to do with a list of academic type milestones your child needs to have done and EVERYTHING to do with just being emotionally/developmentally ready and with socialization. For example:

* Could your child sit still for 15 minutes of "circle time"?
* Can your child follow multi-step instructions? (e.g., "take a piece of red paper, cut out a circle, and then raise your hand when you are done")
* Can your child share and take turns with toys (reasonably well)?
* Can your child use the bathroom fully by themselves? ("wipe, flush, wash")
* Can your child make friends and play nicely with other children?

They also said that if your child is within a few months of their cutoff (age 5 by Sept 1) or if you have concerns about your child's readiness, they suggested bringing your child in to meet them and be evaluated (casually) by them. That pushing children into Kindergarten before they're ready is a bad idea.

HTH.

[edamommy]

Thank you so much! Sounds like his brain is ready... I hope they don't eat my super sensitive boy alive! He does go to preschool at our YMCA full-time. But I don't think they teach him a darned thing.

We've taught him everything he knows. the one thing I worry about is that he is TOO kind... but I have no idea how to toughen him up! :

[Lingmom]

I agree with the posters before who've said it's not about content knowledge, but more about being emotionally and socially ready to follow instructions and be able to concentrate... things that he'll be working on this year whether or not he learns how to write his name (or whatever).

[IndigoGirlies]

He sounds very bright! I agree with the other moms about working with him being emotionally ready. Because I'm a worrywart, I also make sure my kids know: their full name, our full names (mine and dh's), our address and telephone number. Right now I'm working on my parents' names and phone number (as emergency contacts). I also worked with them on who the appropriate people are to give this information to.

Good luck!

[Periwinkle]

Originally Posted by edamommy

Thank you so much! Sounds like his brain is ready... I hope they don't eat my super sensitive boy alive! He does go to preschool at our YMCA full-time. But I don't think they teach him a darned thing.

We've taught him everything he knows. the one thing I worry about is that he is TOO kind... but I have no idea how to toughen him up! :

My son is like this too. Please DON'T toughen him up. The world has too many aggressive little boys (... and teens... and men). Just teach him to "stick up for himself". My ds is able to voice his disapproval or say "I don't want to do that" or "You need to stop grabbing that from me NOW!" very effectively, and he is also getting better about re-directing lol, such as "Hey, I don't want to wrestle. Do you want to play cars with me instead?" It works like a charm with most kids (so far : ).

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by DariusMom

My DS, started pre-school/kindergarden (they go to one class from 4-6) this year. It is absolutely *not* expected that they be able to do anything at all, other than play and learn to be in a "school-like" environment. There is some introduction of ABCs, numbers, etc. but no "requirement" at all until they're six and ready to go to the Dutch version of 1st grade.

That's how it SHOULD be here too, in our gardens of children. My DD (5.5) loves to read, write, draw, figure out solutions to problems, create, discuss time/money, etc. . . .and why? Because she likes to PLAY. She has learned all of this without a single flashcard, without any drills, just by living life.

It is so sad-- the current mindset of education in the US.

What my DD needs help with is emotional maturity. I know she can get that through play, too, but I doubt she'll get much time to play in Kinder this year.