Keeping your child on track
by Christine Bryant
Kindergarten is an important milestone in a child’s life. After all,
it’s the first block in the foundation of education they will build
over the next 12 years. But many children have their first school experience
in preschool where they begin to develop essential skills. Here’s
how a preschool should be helping your child to develop so that they can
be on track for kindergarten.
Responsibility
Be sure that your preschool is asking kids to be responsible for their
lunches, snacks and gear from home. “By the end of preschool, most
kids can take on full responsibility for all of three items,” says
Vicki Hoefle, a longtime professional parenting coach and educator. “When they
do, it builds confidence, organizational skills and teaches responsibility.”
Rules
If your kid doesn’t like rules, you’re not alone. But Hoefle
says it’s important for preschoolers to learn boundaries so when
they get into the kindergarten setting, they understand structure. She
suggests preschools invite the kids to help each other follow the rules,
set up for activities and participate in cleanup. “If kids are invested
in the space, supporting classroom rules and helping each other, they
will be ready for more participation in kindergarten.”
Language
Preschool is an important time for educators to work with children on developing
their language skills, incorporating lessons that will help them with
items such as answering questions in complete sentences, retelling the
plot of a story and even answering hypothetical questions such as “What
would you do if you were thirsty?”
Dr. Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician with Texas Children’s Hospital,
says by the time a child enters kindergarten, she should be able to know
her parents’ first and last names, address and phone number and
understand instructions containing multiple steps, direction words and
objects with descriptions.
Play skills
A child entering kindergarten should know how to play simple card and board
games, and they should use imaginative and futuristic play when playing
with friends, Spinks-Franklin says. “They should be able to take
turns, share and negotiate,” she said. “A kindergartener understands
rules in a game and how to follow them.”
Leadership
Let your kids take the lead — and encourage preschools to as well,
advises Brown University researcher and child development expert Richard
Rende, who has conducted research with
Elmer’s about the benefits of arts and crafts in education. “Creativity
is promoted when kids take the lead,” Rende said. “The creative
spark is lit when kids try to figure out how to make things work on their
own.”
Confidence in academics
It’s important for preschool teachers and parents at your child’s
age to help build confidence and self-esteem so they’re fully prepared
to expand upon academic skills they should know at this age, says Frank
Milner, president of
Tutor Doctor. Some of these academic skills they should know by the end of preschool
include looking at pictures and telling stories, counting to 10, talking
in complete sentences, identifying rhyming words, identifying alphabet
letters, sorting similar objects and bouncing a ball.
Independent living
Sure, no one expects a preschooler to live on his own. But learning independent
living lessons in preschool can help set up a child for success in kindergarten.
Spinks-Franklin says children entering kindergarten should be able to
dress themselves, including buttons, zippers and tying shoes. He should
also be able to make a simple meal, such as a bowl of cereal or sandwich
and be able to brush his teeth on his own.
Fine motor skills
Preschool may seem like it’s all about fun, but at this age through
lessons, children are learning important fine-motor skills. “Strong
fine-motor skills strengthen finger muscles using play dough, clay, scissors,
tweezers, scrunching paper, etc., to make fingers strong for cutting and
writing,” says Lori Becker, professor of Early Childhood Education at
Kaplan University.
Safety lessons
Preschool is a great time to reinforce what moms and dads teach at home
about safety, Spinks-Franklin says. “A child entering kindergarten
should understand basic rules of safety — do not run into the street,
talk to strangers, walk away from parents in public places or take off
her seatbelt while the car is moving.”
Happy memories
One of the most important items a preschooler should learn is how to create
happy memories, and lessons at your child’s preschool present the
perfect opportunity for this. “Smiles, laughs and some silliness
keep kids engaged,” Rende said.
What important lessons does your child’s preschool teach that you
think are important to a child’s development?
Pic by Mats Eriksson
