skip to main content

CANYON VISTA ELEMENTARY

District
Portal
or Browse All Schools
QUICK LINKS
Chinese Dutch English French German Greek Italian Japanese Korean Portuguese Russian Spanish Vietnamese Tagalog Khmer Farsi Hindi Punjabi
PTA Webstore
Calendar
Directory
AERIES Portal
Enrollment
PTA

Kindergarten
Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten Readiness

How do you know if your child is ready for kindergarten? Kindergarten readiness is a frequently asked question of the principal. Only you as the parent know the answers to these questions. Below are some items to ponder, keeping in mind that students are in a classroom with 30 other children at times and need to be as self sufficient as possible. Teachers look at readiness in five major categories. Notice that a child's intelligence is not a factor for consideration. The categories are as follows:
Social Skills and Kinesthetic

Social Skills and Kinesthetic

Does your child...
  • Share with others willingly?
  • Play alone without adult assistance?
  • Cooperate?
  • Work individually and in small groups?
  • Ask questions?
  • Have the confidence to separate from a parent or caregiver and stay with another adult. Is he/she a cling on?
  • Know how to roll, throw and catch a ball?
  • Know how to run, hop on one foot, jump, swing and gallop?
Academic Readiness

Academic Readiness

Does your child...
  • Show an interest in print and books?
  • Write his/her name in upper and lower case letters?
  • Use pencils, crayons, and markers?
  • Draw and recognize objects?
  • Count 10 objects and recognize numerals 1-10?
  • Know shapes and colors?
  • Recognize the names of upper and lower case letters out of sequence?
  • Know most letter sounds?
  • Sit still for 10 to 15 minutes?
  • Follow simple two-step directions?
  • Enjoy coloring and drawing?
  • Recognize his/her own name?
Hygiene Skills

Hygiene Skills

Does your child...
  • Wash his/her hands?
  • Use a tissue to wipe nose?
  • Attend to bathroom needs with total independence?
Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication

Does your child...
  • Use the English language to express personal needs?
  • Express himself to be clearly understood by other adults beyond just family members?
  • Speak in complete sentences?
  • Engage other children and adults in conversation?
Personal Autonomy

Personal Autonomy

Does your child...
  • Dress self?
  • Feed self?
  • Tie shoes or close Velcro?
  • Clean up after self?
  • Zip, button, snap clothing?
 
There are definite developmental issues unique to each child that can determine a child's successful transition into kindergarten. It has little to do with a child's intelligence. My gifted child was the least ready to enter kindergarten with a summer birthday. I often think that moms know in their hearts what's best for their child. We need to listen to our heart. The gift of an extra year for a young child may be just what is needed to allow time for a little extra maturation. That time should be wisely spent preparing students for the items listed above.