Is my child ready for Kindergarten?

Some signs that your child is ready for Kindergarten include:

1) Can my child listen to instructions and then follow them?
2) Is my child able to put on his/her coat and go to the bathroom by themself?
3) Can he/she recite the alphabet and count?
4) Can he/she hold a pencil? Cut with scissors?
5) Recognize his/her own name?
6) Does he/she show an interest in books?
7) Is he/she curious and receptive to learning new things?
8) Does he/she get along well with other kids?
9) Does he/she share and know how to take turns?
10) Can he/she work together with others as part of a group?
11)  Can he/she identify basic colors and shapes?

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions and "sometimes" to the rest, your child is ready for kindergarten.    

Goals for the Kindergarten Program include:

Faith Formation   

• Understand the gifts we are given and how good our God is
• To develop a natural curiosity and wonder about God and the world
• To shape attitudes of love and respect for self and others
• Learn simple and short prayers
• Learn songs, and participate in our weekly Friday Mass

Reading and Writing Skills

• Listen to an entire story without interruptions
• Reading level “C” in A-Z
• Tell a story by looking at a picture book
• Hold a book and turn the pages without ripping or wrinkling the pages
• Recognize rhyming sounds/words
• Identify capital and lowercase letters
• Grip a pencil correctly
• Write his/her name using a capital letter and lowercase letters
• Write at least three sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation.
• Recognize and know 32 site words               

Math Concepts

• Count to 30 and recognize the numbers
• Sort objects into groups
• Recognize shapes
• Make comparisons of size, shape, length, and weight
• Know the various position words (before, after, in front, below, around)
• Basic addition and subtraction

Arts (Music and art)

• Express ideas and thoughts in creative ways
• Paint, draw, and sculpt
• Recognize colors
• Participate in music class (one day a week)
• Listen to music and sing songs throughout the week

Physical development

• Move with balance and coordination
• Participate in indoor and outdoor physical activity
• Use writing tools, puzzles, scissors, blocks, and computers
• Participate in Physical Education classes twice a week

Social development

• Play and work cooperatively
• Follow classroom rules
• To be responsible for behavior, classroom materials and school routine
• Interact positively with other children and learn how to share
• To participate in group activities

Emotional development

• To develop a positive self-image
• To develop self-control
• To relate to others in group situations
• To develop self-help skills
• To utilize quiet and reflective moments

Science

• Observe seasonal changes
• Communicate observations

Goals for Parents:

• Actively participate in your child’s education
• Understand the correlation between home environment and school success
• Involve yourself in the school community
• Celebrate our community and participate in school activities
• Be aware of available community resources
• Read to your children on a regular basis