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Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

By iParenting Staff

Not sure if your child is ready to tackle the world of kindergarten? Our Kindergarten Readiness Checklist will give you an idea on what areas your child is doing well in, and where he may need some extra attention. It's a good idea to do the checklist, print it out and then work with your child in the areas she needs extra help. In a few weeks, do the checklist again to see how much your child has improved.
Answer "Yes" or "Not yet" to the following statements:

Fine Motor Skills
1. Puts a 10- to 12-piece puzzle together
2. Holds scissors correctly
3. Holds a pencil or crayon properly
Gross Motor Skills
1. Runs, jumps and skips
2. Walks backward
3. Walks up and down stairs
Social Skills
1. Uses words instead of being physical when angry
2. Speaks clearly so an adult can understand him/her
3. Plays with other children
4. Follows simple directions
5. Expresses feelings and needs
6. Goes to the bathroom by him/herself
7. Waits his/her turn and shares
8. Talks in sentences
9. Asks questions about things around him/her
10. Enjoys having books read to him/her
11. Can tell a story about a past event
12. Says "please" and "thank you"
13. Can spend extended periods away from Mom and Dad
Academic Skills
1. Recognizes shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
2. Can sort items by color, shape and size
3. Can identify six parts of his/her body
4. Understands concept words such as up, down, in, out, behind, over
5. Counts from 1 to 10
6. Recognizes five colors
7. Tries to write his/her name
8. Recognizes his/her written name
Personal Information
1. Knows his/her full name
2. Knows how old he/she is
3. Knows his/her address and telephone number
4. Knows his/her mother and father's first names

Kindness Pillow By Christine Louise Hohlbaum Children see conflicting messages every day. Whether they flip on the TV, take a glance at the newspaper headlines or look around them, they are bombarded with negative images. In such an environment, how do we teach our children about kindness? Other than being a role model for them, there is a great technique that my mother helped me develop for my kids. Take a colorful pillow that is soft and cuddly. In my case, I have a light blue pillow with a fuzzy giraffe that is sewn into the pillow. Let your children know that it is your pillow and that you would like to give it to each of them who "earns it." Call it the "kindness pillow," and every time you observe them engaging in an act of kindness, give them the pillow to hold for a while. Oftentimes both children are acting kindly to one another and then each gets a turn to hold it. When the one child is finished holding it, he or she gives it to the other one. This not only rewards good behavior, but it also reinforces the lifelong lesson of sharing and being kind to others. What better way to teach them about kindness than to let them be kind to one another? It has revolutionized my household and gives us all a warm and fuzzy feeling every time!