Is Your Little One Ready for Kindergarten?

Wow... it's true; they really grow up so fast! Can you believe that your little one is already about to enter Kindergarten in the Fall? Entering Kindergarten can be both an exciting and scary time. Whether your child is leaving the comforts of home for the first time or transitioning from a more intimate preschool environment, you'll want to be sure to do the following:

1) Schedule a check-up with your Pediatrician or Family Practitioner. This is an important step that many parents tend to overlook, especially if the child is not presenting any illnesses or issues at the time. Besides getting a physical examination from head to toe, this is the time when he'll get whatever shots he may be missing. That's right... those dreaded immunizations! He may not be able to enter school without them. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) states, "Unless you are exempt from vaccinations for religious or philosophical reasons (the laws vary among states), withholding your child's vaccinations can delay his/her entry into school until you comply with your state's school vaccination requirements. If you do qualify for an exemption from vaccination, you must take responsibility for the health of your own child and for the children and adults who come into contact with your child." I know there is much controversy surrounding this subject, and I'm not getting into all of that. My intent is to provide useful information, not to debate. Alright? Alright. You can find more detailed information regarding immunizations here.

2) Take him on a school tour. Oh boy, oh boy! Now the REAL fun begins. Some school districts set aside specific days and times for this prior to the end of the school year. Other districts may wait until the first week of school to do this on "meet the teacher" evening. One way or another, be sure to schedule a tour. It allows him time to explore his soon-to-be-new-school with his eyes, ears, hands, and feet prior to the laying down of rules and structure. I recently took my youngest daughter on her Kindergarten tour, and she absolutely loved it! It was such a joy to watch her and the other little ones prancing behind our bubbly tour guide eager to see what was next. Your child will likely get to see a number of classrooms (maybe even his!), the library, the computer lab, the nurse's office, the gym, the art & music rooms, the cafeteria and the playground... to name a few. You'll have the opportunity to ask your burning questions (I'm sure you'll have at least one or two), and he'll have the opportunity to relish the moment of being a "big kid".

3) Make sure he knows his ABC's and 123's. Kindergarten is not just about playing and napping throughout the day (do they even nap anymore??). For some kids, this may be their first taste of a "structured environment" and for others who are transitioning from a preschool environment, it may be old news. While Kindergarteners aren't expected to have a rocket scientist's mentality, they should know the following basics:

· The alphabet (and how to recognize each letter)

· Counting numbers 1-10 (and how to recognize each number)

· How to write his name in print

· Basic shapes

· Primary colors

· Follow simple directions

· Speak in relatively fluid sentences (shows good communication and vocabulary)

· Personal information (e.g. first & last name, age, sex, and family members names)

· Self-help skills (e.g. putting on clothes and shoes, brushing teeth, using bathroom unassisted, and feeding self)

· Social skills (e.g. taking turns, saying please and thank you)

This is not meant to be an end-all-be-all list. Certainly, every child is on different learning levels. This is just a basic guide to help you prepare and evaluate your child's skill level. All states have different requirements for entering Kindergarten, so be sure to check with the school's administration to find out the specifics.

4) Don't stress him out! Parents can go overboard at times even though we have good intentions. You may want to ensure that your child is on target in every area. Or maybe you're that Type A personality who wants to see their child be the best and the brightest. Hold up... wait a minute! Now, I'm not trying to tell you how to raise your kiddo, but please be mindful that your actions and words can affect your little one - causing unnecessary stress. Been there... done that... and have learned my lesson! If you push your child too hard, and they simply don't get it they may feel like they're "stupid", or "can't do it", or "don't want to do it". These are familiar terms that many pre-Kindergarteners have used either toward themselves or someone else. I'm sure you want him to be excited about the first day of Kindergarten, and not scared half to death. Heck, you may even have your own issues (e.g. separation anxiety, wondering if he'll fit in and make friends, etc...) with your "baby" going to school. Try not to transfer your issues onto him. Remember, as you prepare your little one for Kindergarten, the key is to empower not discourage.

Now, based on the above information and all that you know about your kiddo, it's up to you to determine whether or not he is ready for Kindergarten. They say that ignorance is bliss. Well, in this case... I think not! The more knowledgeable you are, the better you're able to prepare him. And the more prepared he is, the more awesome his Kindergarten experience will be.