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Physical Development

Runs, jumps, hops, somersaults, may be able to skip
Throws and catches a ball
Swings and climbs
Cuts on a line
Copies geometric shapes (circles, squares, triangles, etc.)
Draws a person with some body parts
Dresses and undresses by self
Usually toilet-trained completely
Uses fork, spoon and dinner knife without assistance
Brushes teeth

Ideas For Parents

Read to your child every day. Visit your local library and encourage your child to choose books. Encourage your child to tell you stories.
Say nursery rhymes and fingerplays together. Sing songs.
Allow your child to practice writing. Have your child copy shapes, letters and numbers.
Foster your child's creativity by allowing her to paint and color. Provide materials such as play dough, chalk, glue and crayons. Allow your child to use scraps to make collages.
Praise your child's accomplishments. Foster independence by encouraging self-reliance.
Encourage physical activity by playing follow the leader (run, jump, hop, skip and swing).
Provide multicultural experiences and foster an attitude of acceptance for diversity.
Expand dramatic play by providing a variety of props for themes such as grocery store, beauty salon, restaurant and birthday parties.

Cognitive Development

Recalls parts of a story, tells own story
Says name and address
Can count ten or more objects
Correctly names at least four colors
Combines two or more sentences
Understands meanings of words
Makes of words and rhymes
Asks questions (Why? How?)
Follows simple rules

Social and Emotional Development

Likes to imagine and is able to distinguish fantasy from reality
Likes to sing, dance and act
Is able to play with a group
More likely to agree to rules, can begin to understand games
Learns to express sympathy
Shares with others
Seeks out playmates
Shows more independence
Aware of sexuality

What To Expect: School Readiness

Success in school readiness involves good health, being socially and emotionally mature, having good language, problem solving and creative thinking skills, and a general knowledge about the world.

Prepare your Child by Focusing On

Physical Well-Being: Be sure your child eats nutritious meals and gets plenty of sleep and exercise. Regular medical care and immunizations are important. Regular dental checkups should begin at age three.
Social and Emotional Preparation: Children are often not socially and emotionally mature when they enter kindergarten, but it is important that they have an opportunity to begin developing confidence, motivation, independence, curiosity, persistence, cooperation, self-control and empathy. You can help your child by setting good examples (e.g. treating everyone with respect and sharing). Your child will also know if you have a positive attitude toward learning and school. Encourage self-reliance to foster independence. Provide chances for your child to socialize with other children and adults who are not family members.

Language and General Knowledge

It is important for children to learn to solve problems and communicate with others. You can help foster these skills by providing opportunities to play, answering questions and listening to your child. Reading aloud and monitoring television viewing are also important.

School readiness depends on a combination of many aspects of child development. It does not mean your child needs to know the alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers and how to read.

Toys

dolls, puppets
balls
trucks, tractors, trains
blocks
dramatic play props
blunt scissors, washable markers, crayons, paint
sewing cards
simple board games
books
play dough

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