As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about to
start Kindergarten this Fall, I'd like to share with you some
things I've learned about Preschool over the last ten years,
along with a list of readiness skills every child can be
learning at home - whether attending Preschool or not.
* * *
Preschools, especially those
taught in a church environment, are a wonderful resource that
helps prepare children for regular school. Not to mention they
also provide social interaction with children of the same age,
and for a few hours each week, a much-needed break for Mom.
Overall, we highly recommend them!
There's just one catch -
Preschool is expensive!
Though I truly enjoyed successfully home schooling our first
child for preschool in 1994, by the time our next child was
ready for preschool (in 1998) I also had a toddler at home
(our third child), and another shortly on the way. My husband
and I decided it was definitely time for some help, and
somehow we managed to put our second child through preschool,
as well as the third. And the fourth - as I've already
mentioned, will be graduating this year.
If you'd like to send your child to Preschool but would like
to keep the costs down, try finding a school that offers just
two days a week, that's what we did. Of course home schooling
would cost even less, but we realize that's not an option for
everyone - especially working moms.
Whether you choose to home-preschool your child or send
him/her to a local Preschool on a part-time basis, here's a
suggested list of academic, physical and social skills every
preschooler should be learning. If your child will be
attending Kindergarten in the fall it would be a good idea to
continue working on these things over the summer. Kindergarten
is a lot tougher than it was even a few years ago, so the more
prepared your child is the better off he/she will be!
You will find that Kindergarten Readiness lists will vary but
this is a great list that covers the basics…
Academic Skills
Say the alphabet
Recognize own name, and letters in name
Recognize as many letters as possible (A-Z)
Count to 10
Recognize numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Count items
Name the basic colors (blue, red, yellow, purple, green,
orange, white, brown, black)
Physical Skills
Care for personal needs (Use restroom, wash hands, fasten
clothes, wipe nose, etc…)
Catch item tossed underhand
Walk up and down stairs
Use pencils and crayons
Use scissors & glue stick
Stack blocks
Put toys and class items where they belong
Social Skills (These are always a work in progress!)
Shares and takes turns
Sits quietly and listens in group setting
Follows directions
Demonstrates good manners while eating
Respects other students and adults
Respects other's belongings and class items
Expresses thoughts and feelings clearly
And a Note About Reading…
Depending on your local school system, children now begin
reading in either Preschool or Kindergarten. It is very
important that your child be familiar with the letters of the
alphabet and if possible, even the sounds each one makes.
Knowing the letters will make the transition to reading much
easier.
Throughout the early school
years, teachers will often remind you how important it is to
read to your children every day. You can make it a special
time by letting the child choose the book to be read, and ask
them questions about the story as you go - this will also help
them develop good comprehension skills, which are needed
throughout life.
Enjoy these early years
together, they grow up so fast!
Michelle Jones, author
of Frugal Family Recipes and Dealing with Debt, is dedicated to helping
families save money and live a better life. She's also a frugal mom of 4
and the Publishing Editor of Living a Better Life: The Free Money-Saving
Tips Ezine. Please visit
www.BetterBudgeting.com to sign up for your free subscription!
Copyright © by Michelle Jones. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission.
