Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

During early registration for Kindergarten, your child will have an opportunity to meet K teachers and visit classrooms. During this time, your child may be invited to do a Kindergarten screening. This is an informal conversation between the teacher and child that will give you helpful tips to use at home to help your child transition into Kindergarten.


Here are a few questions that teachers use to get to know your child:

1. What is your name? (Does your child know his/her whole name?)

2. What are these colors? (The teacher will have colored paper or crayons for your child to identify: red, blue, orange, green, yellow, purple, brown, and black).

3. Can you court to 10? Show me how your count these objects. (She will have your child count blocks, Popsicle sticks, or crayons up to 10 items).

4. Use this pencil and write your name. (It is not necessary for your child to know how to write his/her name. The teacher is looking for how the pencil is held, if your child is left handed or right handed, and if he/she can form letters at this time).

5. What are these shapes? (She will have 4 shapes cut out of paper for your child to name: circle, square, triangle, and rectangle. Then she will ask your child to draw each share. Here again, this is just to see the developmental level of your child's fine motor skills).

6. Take these scissors and cut on this line. (She may give your child a pair of safety scissors and have your child cut on a line drawn on a sheet of paper).

7. Can you say the ABCs? (Your child may sing the alphabet song or recite the letters in order. It is not required to know all of the alphabet letter names at this time but she may ask your child to identify certain letters, as well).

Remember that early Kindergarten registration is designed to give your child a head start with getting ready for the next school year. This Kindergarten screening will also be helpful as you prepare your child for school.