It’s human nature to look ahead. So if you have a child in preschool, you’re probably already thinking ahead to the day your child starts kindergarten. How can you help your child succeed in school? What skills do kindergarten teachers expect their students to have when they enter “big” school?
According to an article on Scholastic Parents, the most important readiness skills that set the stage for your child’s learning are:
Enthusiasm Toward Learning
Solid Oral-Language Skills
The Ability to Listen
The Desire to Be Independent
The Ability to Play Well with Others
Strong Fine-Motor Skills
Basic Letter and Number Recognition
You don’t need flashcards or workbooks to teach your child these skills. Instead focus on play and day-to-day activities, such as those found in Let's Play School, to help your child on the road to kindergarten-readiness.
Most important, keep learning fun by playing, talking, reading, and taking your child places. “The lessons,” notes one teacher, “will unfold naturally.”