Kindergarten Readiness

Below is a copy of the World Book preschool list with Raccoon's incomplete tasks in red and my notes. I first saw the list mentioned here. The details are below, but they pretty much confirm what I already knew. The areas we need to work on the most are fine motor skills and social-emotional development (especially separation anxiety and interactions with others). I occasionally look at lists like this to see if there are any gaps we can gently work on, and to know where we are headed. But in the end, it's just a guide, and my son is an amazing gift, no matter what he can or cannot do.

Colors and Shapes

 * Copies shapes.

Numbers

 * Counts orally through 10. (can but likes to start at 5)
 * Counts objects in one-to-one correspondence. (can for 3 or 4, then goes out of order)

Reading Readiness

 * Pronounces own last name (gives it when prompted - not yet)
 * Tells the meaning of words heard in story (not sure, he does ask what unfamiliar words mean)
 * Identifies own first name in manuscript.
 * Prints own first name.

Time
 * Knows age and birthday.

Motor Skills

 * Is able to alternate feet walking down stairs (up yes, down not sure).
 * Is able to march (not sure but I think so)
 * Is able to stand on one foot for 5-10 seconds.
 * Able to button a garment.
 * Draws and colors beyond a simple scribble.
 * Controls pencil and crayon well.
 * Cuts simple shapes.
 * Handles scissors well.
 * Able to copy simple shapes.

Social-Emotional Development

* Can be away from parents or primary care givers for 2-3 hours without being upset (not sure, never tried)
 * Takes care of toilet needs independently (can, doesn't always choose to)
 * Is not afraid to go to school (not sure)
 * Knows full name.
 * Dresses self (can undress completely, putting shirt and socks on still hard)
 * Crosses residential street safely (not alone)
 * Asks to go to school.
 * Knows parents' names (first yes, last no)
 * Knows home address.
 * Knows home phone number.
 * Enters into casual conversation (at times)
 * Maintains self-control.
 * Gets along well with other children (at times)
 * Plays with other children (at times)
 * Recognizes authority (at times)
 * Shares with others (at times)
 * Talks easily.
 * Likes teachers.
 * Meets visitors without shyness.
* Able to stay on task.
 * Able to work independently.

I also found this list - 71 Things Your Child Needs to Know Before Kindergarten - and we still have quite a ways to go, but there is plenty of time. My "baby" is just 36 months old. :)

 

Well-Rounded or Specialization

There is a little voice in my brain telling me that I may need to remember this for Raccoon later:

"I think formal school puts a lot of emphasis on being “well-rounded” but the “real world” doesn’t necessarily demand that," a comment from Trish on this blog post. Her main idea is to do the essential things the student doesn't like in the context of the things the student does like, as the means to a rewarding end.

Another mom said, "I also find that age matters for us. Younger ages: it seemed more important to me to provide more balance... Now in our 5th year homeschooling, we're specializing more."

For Raccoon right now, the biggest piece of our time pie is physical activity, into which I incorporate other learning whenever I can in a fun and brief way. I have considered the homeschooling option, depending on where he's at in a few years. Right now, anything structured drives us both crazy (classes at Gymboree and getting to church on time are pretty much all we've tried), but it's early yet.