Kindergarten: Is My Child Ready?

Just yesterday, you were holding that sweet, little baby. After many diapers, meals, and playdates later, you realize that kindergarten is on the horizon. It's an exciting time as families envision a life for themselves and their children in this new phase. And often, this excitement gets clouded with concern. Is my little one ready for kindergarten?

If this question has crossed your mind, you're not alone. Parents everywhere have questions about kindergarten readiness. Parents will see another child, the same age as their own, do or say things that their child does not. The reality is that both children may indeed be completely kindergarten-ready. This is what makes the science of early childhood development quite complex. Every child is quite different and will develop skills and mature on their own timeline.

What is known is that early childhood is a period of rapid cognitive and physical development. And just as important as the growth of the body and mind is emotional and social growth. The National Education Goals Panel offers five dimensions of school readiness:

• Physical well-being and motor development
• Social and emotional development
• Approaches to learning
• Language development (including early literacy)
• Cognition and general knowledge

They emphasize the comprehensive observation of all factors rather than focusing on one that may not be a predictor of readiness or success. For example, public schools and early learning professionals often offer readiness guidelines that cover a few general areas. It's common to hear that children should be able to count to ten, hold a crayon or pencil, know their first and last name, listen and follow basic instructions, and use the restroom independently. While these are good basic readiness concepts, they are meant to be overarching guidelines, not absolute criteria for either readiness or success.

For example, your little Einstein may be able to count to 100; however, maybe he always forgets to wash his hands after using the restroom, even if you've told him 100 times. These scenarios are quite normal, as again, all children develop the many areas of their brains and bodies differently, so each should be assessed not only within one area but wholistically for the unique individual they are.

When we opened Little Jewels Learning Center twenty years ago, we knew there was a need for quality daycare services. However, our vision was to care for the children and create an environment where every child would receive the highest level of early education possible. We have strategically created a curriculum for every stage of our childcare centers. Our infants are exposed to interactive and sensory learning experiences and benefit from songs and books to improve literacy. Our toddlers are engaged in programs to help with motor skill development and social development. And our preschool and pre-K programs are second to none. While they think it's fun, they are immersed in language, writing, math, and science. They are socially, emotionally, and cognitively ready for school.

If you have questions about kindergarten readiness or how to best prepare your little one for what's ahead, please get in touch with us. Often, our educators have the privilege of having a front seat and observing things over time that can be enlightening. For example, one mom was highly concerned that her daughter was so shy that she would have trouble making friends in kindergarten. After a talk with her teacher, she learned that not only did her daughter have many friends at the center, but she rarely stopped talking to them! This sweet story reminds us that it's all about communication. If you're ever wondering, we welcome you to reach out. It's a pleasure to be a part of your child's journey.