ASK THE EXPERT: By Lori Warner, PhD
Q: I'm not sure if my son should go to kindergarten this year. He has a late birthday and we have only done one year of preschool. How can I tell if I should wait or not?
A: Deciding whether or not to send a "young-fiver" to kindergarten is always an individual decision, and depends on many factors. One consideration most parents easily recognize is academic readiness, but social and emotional readiness is equally as important. Particularly for children who have had no preschool experience, adjusting to a structured school schedule with multiple transitions can be challenging. This is especially true for full-day kindergarten programs. Even for children with preschool experience, the behavioral expectations and routine in kindergarten will likely differ from what they've experienced in the past. Your local school district can help you assess your child's readiness in all aspects of development and assist you in making the right decision for your family.
Q: What are some of the key social and emotional skills needed in kindergarten?
A: Every kindergarten class is different, but all represent the child's first foray into elementary school, and this is a true milestone! Kindergarten is a time when children increasingly learn that they are part of a larger community. They learn more about the world around them and how their family, home, school, and familiar places like the park, library, and grocery store fit into larger organizations and institutions. Kindergarteners begin learning how to better identify and express their feelings, and develop stronger empathy and understanding of others. Socializing with new classmates, learning to share and play cooperatively, and learning to assert oneself while understanding the importance of rules and authority are all key skills. Children also broaden their interests and spark their creativity and excitement of discovery during this timeframe.
Q: What can I expect my child to learn in terms of social and emotional growth during kindergarten?
A: Here are some helpful benchmarks from the Colorado State Library:
(www.coloradostatelibrary.org)
- Most kindergarteners can:
- follow a classroom routine
- play cooperatively with others
- label and express feelings and emotions
- try new activities willingly
- stand up for themselves but know that bullying and violence are wrong
- wait fairly patiently for a turn or to speak
- take care of personal needs such as toileting, hand-washing, and clothing
- pay attention to a story or activity for 10 minutes
Dr. Lori Warner is a Licensed Psychologist and Director of the HOPE Center, Center for Human Development at William Beaumont Hospital in Berkley. She can be reached at (248) 691-4774.
Visit their Web site @ www.beaumonthospitals.com/hope.
SAVE THE DATE:
Making a Successful Transition into Kindergarten
A special follow up to The Family Center's past fall "Kindergarten: Get Ready!!" presentation.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7pm
Barnes Early Childhood Center
20090 Morningside Dr., Grosse Pointe Woods
$5/person
RSVP by Jan. 26 @ 313.432.3832 or info@familycenterweb.org
To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
