How Do You Know They're Ready for Kindergarten?

Thursday was kindergarten registration at my school, and it's always an exciting day.  The registrar and the principal count kids and ponder how many teachers we'll need.  Nervous parents hold on to excited kids, and the kindergarten teachers wonder which of these babies will join their rooms in September. 

It's the time of year when parents ask whether their four year old will be ready for kindergarten in the fall.  Most school districts have a cut-off birth date somewhere between September 1 and December 31.  That leaves a lot of room to wonder.  As a September birthday,  I have strong feelings about this.  I didn't mind being the youngest in my class until high school.  Academically, I was fine, but socially being the baby of the group was frustrating.  I was the last of my friends to get my license, get into rated R movies and turn 21.  Fortunately, I had a boyfriend to drive me places, get my movie tickets and buy my drinks.  If I'd been a boy, I think it would have been much harder.  I distinctly remember the summer before I turned 21.  All of my friends were legal, and I had just returned from a semester in England, where the drinking age was 18.  I would routinely get messages like, "Hey, Kristin, we're all at Carpool, but it's over 21 tonight.  Maybe we'll see you tomorrow." 

As a reading teacher, I've noticed that most of the students I see have late birthdays.  Their peers born in January have eight to nine months more experience with language and books.  Even if the academic curriculum isn't a challenge, think about the social aspects.  Do you want your kid to be the biggest and the smartest?  The freshman who plays varsity?  Top of the class?  These accomplishments statistically fall to the older students. 

Whatever you decide, the best way to prepare your child for kindergarten is read to her everyday.  The kindergarten curriculum includes learning the alphabet and learning to count, writing your name, and emergent reading skills.  Anything your child already knows, puts her ahead of the game. 

Here are my favorite books for kindergarteners.  I've mentioned it many times before, but Chicka Chicka Boom Boom may be the perfect alphabet book around.  Letters and rhymes - what more could you want?  But then you can't go wrong with Bill Martin, Jr or Eric Carle.  I'd also recommend classics like Where the Wild Things Are, Corduroy, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  Then there's Kevin Henkes, who just seems to understand how hard it is to be a kid.  I love Chrysanthemum for kindergartners.  It's about a Chrysanthemum, who believes her name is perfect until a mean spirited classmate begins to tease her.  Two new favorites are Gossie by Olivier Dunrea, about a goose who loves her red boots, but shares them anyway, and Do Crocs Kiss? by Salina Yoon, a rhyming, animal sounds, lift-the-flap book.  Books teach our children about life and language, and in process prepare them for kindergarten.

 

In the end, I can't say I wish my mom had kept me back a year.  I had a wonderful school experience, and I made great friends (many who shared their IDs with me.)  And, now, as an adult, I like that all my friends will turn 35 months before I do. 

Great Books for Kindergarteners

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Gossie by Olivier Dunrea

Do Crocs Kiss? by Salina Yoon

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems