Are you worried if your child is ready for kindergarten? As a mom to three boys and a former teacher, I know that it’s common to wonder if your child is ready for kindergarten. It’s such a big milestone and exciting time for your child!
I’ve talked with many parents who ask me these questions… “How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?” and “What does my child need to know before going to kindergarten?”
They want a checklist and I totally get that! [And if you scroll down, you’ll find my checklist!]
The biggest thing I tell parents is this… preparing your child with academics is not the most important thing. Yes, our society puts a big emphasis on preschool and doing lots of activities to prepare them for school, but honestly, having good character, being respectful, being a good friend, and showing kindness to others is the most important thing. Even if you think your child may be behind in academics, it’s ok! Teachers know how to meet the needs of their students. So just remember this before you look at my kindergarten readiness checklist.
This list of standards was put together by looking at public school, private school, and homeschool standards. I am a former teacher and through teaching experiences with early childhood education during college, I believe this list is a good way to assess how ready your child is for kindergarten.
You can print this list and check off the skills as they master them. I know this list may seem big, but just working on what you can really benefit your child. I hope this list will be a helpful guide, whether you homeschool or send your child to school. Either way, it is still good to know what your child should know before kindergarten.
You can get the checklist for free when you sign up for my free weekly newsletter.
Remember…helping your child develop good character, reading to them, making memories, and spending time with your child is the MOST important thing you can do to prepare them for kindergarten.