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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Early Years
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Bradley turned 5 in August, just one week before the beginning of the school year. He was a bright and curious youngster. In fact, he was so curious about everything around him, he rarely focused on anything for more than five minutes. Sometimes it seemed like he was in perpetual motion, and if there wasn't a lineup of activities for him to move through at his own speed, he got easily frustrated and even angry. Jenny wasn't going to turn 5 until late October. She took pride in her efforts to write her name and other special words such as, "I love you." She enjoyed listening to stories and was one of the first to raise her hand when her preschool teacher asked a question. Still prone to outbursts, especially when she was tired, Jenny's typical day ran the gamut when it came to emotions. Both Bradley and Jenny are eligible to start kindergarten in the fall, yet like many other parents with children their age, they wonder if it might be better to hold off a year. They've heard that other children entering kindergarten are counting to 50, writing with upper and lower case alphabet, and even reading. They also worry that their children might not be mature enough to handle each day's planned activities. So they ask, "How do you know when your child is ready to start kindergarten?" Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer. According to the state of California, Bradley, Jenny and any other children turning 5 by Dec. 2, 2003, are entitled to enter kindergarten this fall. However, parents know their children best and can take into account a variety of factors in deciding the start date, says Stacy Yogi, a school readiness coordinator for Capistrano Unified School District. "What's right for one child might not be right for another," she says. "They all develop at different rates. We value the parents' judgment and respect their decision." If you're at the point of considering kindergarten for your youngster, there are many sources you can turn to for guidance in making your decision. If your child attends a preschool, get input from his teacher, or you can contact your school district office by phone, or even visit their website. The Capistrano Unified School district has a brochure that lists questions designed to help parents make their own determination. The following are some of the general areas of readiness you might consider when deciding what's best for your child: Academic readiness Kindergarten teachers are prepared for a wide range of academic backgrounds in children entering their classroom. Yes, some children may be writing and reading, but others may not even have a handle on the English language yet. That's why a big part of the teacher's initial job is to assess the children and group them according to their individual needs. Your child should know and be able to write his own name, and he should be able to count to 10. A healthy interest in reading, writing, letters and numbers is a good indicator that he's ready to learn. It's also important that a child be able to sit still for 10 to 15 minutes and respond accordingly to simple 2-step directions such as, "Put the book away and come sit down on the carpet." Verbal and receptive language skills Does your child enjoy listening to stories? Can he answer a few questions about the book afterwards? Can he express his needs and thoughts in full sentences? A child should possess these simple language skills before entering kindergarten. Physical fitness Developmental milestones also indicate a readiness for school, and physical education is a part of kindergarten curriculum. Can your child throw, catch or roll a ball? Most 5-year-olds are running, jumping and skipping all the time and this is a good clue that they're physically fit for kindergarten. Socially set How your child interacts with peers can be one of the most influential aspects of your decision. Since many school districts do not offer class-size reduction for kindergarten classes - and since many have increased class size recently because of the state budget crisis - there often are up to 30 students per class. For a child coming from a preschool or day care with eight or 15 students, this is a big change. Being able to take turns, cooperate, share and work in small groups is essential. Also, does your child respect the rights and belongings of others? The answer offers parents a big clue. Emotionally prepared More often than not, starting kindergarten is more emotionally wrenching for parents than children. (Every year on the first day, kindergarten parents follow their kids into the classroom and linger aimlessly until they are ushered out by an experienced teacher.) It's important that the child is ready to separate from a parent or caregiver and stay calmly with another adult. Entering your child into kindergarten may seem like a monumental decision. Just remember: Because a child is active, shy or emotional does not mean they're not ready - it's just part of their personality and kindergarten teachers are prepared to work with it. Of course, once you've made the decision to put your child in kindergarten, don't just stop there. A great way of seeing how your child is doing, and getting to know what the school environment is all about, is by helping out in the classroom. Teachers always appreciate volunteers, and more importantly, your child will love it, too. When still in doubt, remember what one Southern California superintendent advised a parent: "I've never had anyone regret starting her child too late." Michele Piazzoni is a freelance writer and mother of three living in Folsom. She is a regular contributor to The Early Years and, in the Family News section, Getting Started...To reach her: mpiazzoni@hotmail.com. |
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