School
Ready for Kindergarten?
04/17/2010 10:56
Although it has always sounded so cliche, time does go fast and our children grow up even faster. We hear this countless times, but until we have our first little one board that big yellow school bus, we don’t fully understand. Prior to that tough day of developmental progression, we as parents wrestle for months in guessing and second guessing our schooling decisions. At this time, kindergarten is not mandatory in Indiana. Depending on the school district, the cut-off age for enrollment is typically August 1 or September 1 (must be five by that birthday). But how do we know if our little ones are ready? What can we do to help ease this transition?
First of all, relax. They will learn and they will grow. If you are searching the web (or reading this blog) you are likely worlds ahead of where you need to be in preparing your child for kindergarten. Understand that all children develop at a different rate. Secondly, review the following general expectations (please understand these are very general guidelines to think about):
Motor Skills: Does your child have adequate large muscle skills (walk in straight line and throw a ball) as well as small muscle activities (trying to write letters, coloring, drawing)?
Academic Skills: Does your child convey stories and ideas in complete and descriptive sentences, concentrate on a task for ten minutes, identify most colors, knows the letters in his own name (and recognizes them in print), knows numbers 1 through 10? Your child should be able to answer basic questions about his environment, identify the opposites and similarities between items, and understand subtle changes in the world around him.
Social Skills: Does your child share with other children, understand the give-and-take in a game, and follow routines?
Personal Skills: Does your child take care of her own clothing (can snap and zip), goes to the bathroom independently, and washes hands by herself?
If you have any questions about the readiness of your child, feel free to contact me. I offer early academic screening that can help answer your most difficult readiness concerns.
First of all, relax. They will learn and they will grow. If you are searching the web (or reading this blog) you are likely worlds ahead of where you need to be in preparing your child for kindergarten. Understand that all children develop at a different rate. Secondly, review the following general expectations (please understand these are very general guidelines to think about):
Motor Skills: Does your child have adequate large muscle skills (walk in straight line and throw a ball) as well as small muscle activities (trying to write letters, coloring, drawing)?
Academic Skills: Does your child convey stories and ideas in complete and descriptive sentences, concentrate on a task for ten minutes, identify most colors, knows the letters in his own name (and recognizes them in print), knows numbers 1 through 10? Your child should be able to answer basic questions about his environment, identify the opposites and similarities between items, and understand subtle changes in the world around him.
Social Skills: Does your child share with other children, understand the give-and-take in a game, and follow routines?
Personal Skills: Does your child take care of her own clothing (can snap and zip), goes to the bathroom independently, and washes hands by herself?
If you have any questions about the readiness of your child, feel free to contact me. I offer early academic screening that can help answer your most difficult readiness concerns.
Parent Teacher Conferences
10/29/2009 11:22
For many of you, the time of year for Parent/Teacher conferences is fast approaching. Given the recent financial cutbacks by the Indiana Department of Education that limit the half-day option for teachers and students, Parent/Teacher conferences are likely going to be optional in most districts. Conferences may also be conducted over the phone or via e-mail. As I understand the time limitations, I encourage frequent face-to-face communication with your child’s teacher. If a Parent/Teacher conference is not possible, it is very important that you find alternative methods to become a presence in the classroom (classroom volunteer).
If you are planning on a meeting time, it is essential that you are prepared ahead of time in order to make the most efficient use of your limited time. The following tips may be helpful. Have your topics of discussion written out and concise.
Does the classroom/teacher/school have challenging academic standards that are beyond the state academic standards? If so, what are they?
How is your child evaluated to determine the skills that have been acquired?
How can you as a parent stay involved at home with your child’s education?
How can I complement lessons at home?
How can I know on a daily basis what homework has been assigned?
How do you accommodate different styles of learning?
How is your child doing with peer relationships?
How does your child occupy themselves during “down times?”
Remember that this is very time limited, so you want to use the most of your time. Although it is important to be friendly and social, do not spend too much of this time with “chatting” with the teacher. Your child’s teacher will appreciate this as well.
Never be embarrassed to ask for information to be clarified. You are your only advocate for your child’s education. You are the scaffolding to which they grow.
If you are planning on a meeting time, it is essential that you are prepared ahead of time in order to make the most efficient use of your limited time. The following tips may be helpful. Have your topics of discussion written out and concise.
- Ask your child if there are any issues or concern that they would like you to discuss
- Ask the teacher the following questions that apply:
Does the classroom/teacher/school have challenging academic standards that are beyond the state academic standards? If so, what are they?
How is your child evaluated to determine the skills that have been acquired?
How can you as a parent stay involved at home with your child’s education?
How can I complement lessons at home?
How can I know on a daily basis what homework has been assigned?
How do you accommodate different styles of learning?
How is your child doing with peer relationships?
How does your child occupy themselves during “down times?”
- Ask to see samples of your child’s work and have the teacher explain her grading system. This is particularly helpful on open-ended assignments such as writing.
- Have the teacher explain the system used in the classroom to monitor behaviors (stick system, red/yellow/green, etc.)
- Are there other teachers that you should meet? Music? Art? Spanish?
Remember that this is very time limited, so you want to use the most of your time. Although it is important to be friendly and social, do not spend too much of this time with “chatting” with the teacher. Your child’s teacher will appreciate this as well.
Never be embarrassed to ask for information to be clarified. You are your only advocate for your child’s education. You are the scaffolding to which they grow.