Moms,
I want to do what I can to prepare my 4 yr old for Kindergarten this Fall.
Her pre-school teachers have expressed concern because she is not totally up to speed with a lot of things (like writing the alphabet and some speech issues). I had her evaluated by the public school pre-screen and they said she meets all criteria and didn't think there was reason for assistance.
So my question is, what can I do on my own for her over the Summer, or should I consider hiring a tutor or something like that?
She is like an only child (sibs are much older and out of the house) and she does way better with me than in a group environment, which she's just going to have to adjust to. She recognizes most letters of the alphabet but still has difficulty writing all of them, same with numbers through about 12. Knows colors and shapes just fine.
Can sometimes write her name, usually needs a little assistance.
Any advice please????? thanks very much.
I teach second grade but I have taught kindergarten in the past. My suggestion would be to go to the dollar tree and pick up a few workbooks that are leveled either K or 1. Do 1-2 pages a week and make sure you are reading to her everyday. She seems like she is on the right track.
Hi W.~
I agree with another poster--I too suggest picking up some workbooks that are designed for her age. I pick them up regularly for my son, who will also begin kindergarten this fall. I usually designate 1 hour each day for something structured...writing, reading, art, math, etc.
I'm sure your daughter will be fine when she enters kindergarten, I don't believe they have that high of expectations when just entering school for the first time.
~J.~
If she uses the computer at all, try www.starfall.com. It is a great educational website. I used to buy pads of paper that had lines on it or use just plain white paper and write out their names, alphabet, and numbers in dashes and have them trace over it. I wouldn't worry about at tutor. When you are outside playing this summer just ask her questions like when she sees a duck "what letter does duck start with?" My daughter's kindergaten teacher said she wishes that when kids start that they could recognize letters and know the letter sounds. It sounds like your daughter is doing just fine. Enjoy your time with her, as long as you make the learning fun she will do just fine. Good luck!
R.
W.,
I have one finishing kindergarten now and one starting in the fall. It is so hard to make those kinds of calls. My older son is just starting to read now and sounding out the letters has been a chore. My younger son is already reading some words on his own without any help. Kids abilities are so varied at this age and then everyone makes you worry that you aren't doing enough for the children to be ready for school.
For my older one we did all sorts of stuff to get ready and I am not convinced any of it helped him very much.
It sounds like your daughter is farther ahead than my son was last fall and that is good news. If she has a hard time with separation or being in a group, I might be inclined to work on that more than the academics. If she was ok in group stuff in preschool, then I would concentrate on having a great summer. Sidewalk chalk for the letters is great. It gives the letters texture and it's easier for them to remember how it felt to write the letters then. Shaving cream letters in the bathtub or on the kitchen table is one that my kindergarten teacher recommends a lot. Just plop the shaving cream down and have her write her letters and numbers in that. I've heard sand is good too.
They are little for such a short period of time and if your not careful you miss all the wonderful things they do and learn. I feel like I worried constantly from last spring until now and was too stressed to enjoy my kids. I'm going to try and not let that happen this summer. Good luck to you!
C.
I wouldn't worry about getting a tutor. Too much pressure too early and they burn out by jr high. I would just do fun things with her that help develop the skills. DD (4yo) and I both like to scrapbook and she likes to write her name on the pages. If she wants to write a word she doesn't know, I just write it on a scrap paper and she copies it. The sidewalk chalk thing is great too. We also have a few of the pre-k and kindergarten activity books that she'll use every once in a while. They're really cheap at Half Price Books. There's always going to be kids that are ahead or behind your own child so don't stress about it.
Hi W.,
I am a Kindergarten teacher and a mom to a 3 year old daughter. Don't panic to much yet. The best advice I can share with you as a mom and a teacher is to communicate, communicate, communicate with her Kindergarten teacher. Share your concerns with her teacher. (The thing I appreciated the most from my parents is when they come and shard thier concerns with me and we develop a plan together for the students benefit.) Remember every program and curriculum is different. Her Kindergarten teacher will help you to understand what his/her program guidelines are and what they will be learning throughout the year. Kindergarten is about learning how to recognize the letters and sounds and learning to write them. Just remember she is not the only child in the room at the same level. Most of them are. I also agree with the 2nd grade teacher. Pick up a couple of workbooks from the Dollar Tree. A little extra practice never hurt anything. Also, the best practice for reading is to read. So, read-read-read together. You reading to your child sets a great example and sets the tone for an I love reading attitude. It great to see you working with her while she is young, because parents who wait to the 3rd grade or older are to late. The kids already have developed the I hate to read attitude and it is much harder to change their minds about reading. I can tell from my 10 years of teaching experience 3 of which in Kindergarten (starting my 4th year in Kindergarten) that not many of them come in writing all of thier letters correctly and are not even able to write their whole name or write it correctly. She sounds like she is right where she is suppose to be for her age. Our society is constantly pressuring our kids to move forward. We forget that kids firstly just need to be kids. So don't panic, since you already had her screened by your local school district I am sure she will do fine in school. Good Luck I hope she has a really great year!
