What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

My DD just turned 4 and she should be starting K in the fall. I was wondering what your children knew going in, just so I have a realistic idea of what I need to teach her. Also, any help on how to start teaching reading would be helpful. Thanks!!!

What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

my DS turned 4 in october. he can count to 30 (or 100 if I help him at 40,50,60, etc). talks like a 10 year old. he knows all his shapes. he can recognize most letters and sounds, but not all. he cannot read at all, but can write his name. my 3.5 nephew can read but can't write. you can't compare.

What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

My DS didnt know much which I dont recommend. It hasnt impacted him becuase he is good at memorization. He knew his alphabet and how to count to 20. He recognize some letters of the alphabet not all. He could write and spell his first name and only write some letters. Couldnt really write any numbers.

-Recognize and write alphabet (usually pre-k does letter of the week)
-I know some pre-K they can count to 100.
-Write and recognize numbers
-With the reading: reveiw pre-primer sight words, practice letter sounds

Confession of a homeschooler has some great printables and idea you can use to work with her for pre-k. I did the Catepillar board for my DS in kindergarten and he loves using that to learn sight words
Free Printables

Message edited 12/13/2013 12:07:33 PM.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

I had two totally different experiences with my boys. Early on, DS1 has an incredible appetite for learning and reading, so he picked up things very quickly. DS2 was not interested in school or doing work. Even now, he's a good student, but does just enough so he finishes his work.

DS#1 was able to count to 100, write numbers up to 20 or 30, knew ABC and was able to write all letters. Knew how to write full first name and last name. He could write basic sight words and was reading those Yes, I can read level books.

DS#2 was able to count to 20, write 1-10, write his first/last name, knew ABCs, write most of the letters and knew a few sight words.

ETA: Some school districts will have a document for what kids should know when they are entering a specific grade. Also if you live in a state with common core, then you can look up what the curriculum will be.

Message edited 12/13/2013 1:11:41 PM.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

From my experience, what they "need" to know was very different than what my DS did know so I will start with that.

I think in order to be on par with what is expected by the curriculum and what most of the children come in knowing (all this is with respect to my LI district) they should:
- Be able to recognize all letters upper and lower case.
- Know all letter sounds.
- Know basic information - their full name (and how to spell), age, birthdate, town, state, phone number etc.
- Be able to count to 50, recognize numbers to 30, write numbers and work with numbers up to 10.
- be able to write full name and draw basic things - person etc,
- color well
- be independent - with shoes, clothing, bathroom, managing folder, backpack etc.
-be able to sit and follow directions and learn in a group setting, be respectful.

*ALL of the above are still taught and reviewed pretty extensively throughout Kindergarten year - especially the first half but, I think it is a good idea to be familiar with above before school starts.

Now as to the original question what did my child know? He was way beyond the above. He could read pretty well (probably a year ahead), count into the thousands, basic addition, subtraction etc. etc. etc. Honestly, at the end of the day, I don't think this was a huge advantage - he was bored out of his mind and there wasn't enough differentiation. So, don't go crazy

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

Awesome. Thank you all!

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

DS just turned 5 last week. He's in kindergarten. He knew all of his letters and the sounds they made. He could write his letters and numbers. He could count past 100 and could recognize the numbers. He knew his shapes and colors. He could do very basic addition and subtraction. He was reading books. From talking with his teacher, his skill levels were higher than what's expected of kids in kindergarten. I think there's such a big range in what kids know entering school. I would find out from your particular district what things would be helpful for kids to know before entering school. I think listening and following directions are just as important as knowing different subjects.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

My DD started Kindergarten this past Sept. (she also turned 5 in Sept.)

Going in she was able to count to 30, knew all her letters and letter sounds, was able to recognize some basic sight words, knew her shapes, was able to count by 10's, was able to do VERY basic adding (2+1, 4+1, 2+2), knew all her colors, and was able to write her own name.

She started reading on her own very soon after starting Kindergarten but going in she was SO, SO close to reading on her own anyway. I read to her EVERY single day, point to words as I read, I taught her how to use the pictures to help her figure out the story, and I had her make predictions about the story based on the front cover. She had a lot of pre-reading skills going in so that helped her to pick on the actual reading quickly.

ETA - spelling

Message edited 12/17/2013 7:45:07 PM.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

I think a lot of the items mentioned above are taught in Kindergarten. My DD is in now, and the learning objectives that they have been taught and tested on include recognition of all letters and sounds, and so far numbers 1-10. She also had to memorize her address and phone number.

While she had a head start because she learned a lot of these things in pre-K they have spent a couple of months teaching these concepts.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

I know it's a lot different than we were kids, but it's STILL Kindergarten (ie not mandatory and they have to start somewhere as far as teaching kids basic stuff). If your child knows too much before they are going to be bored!

*Most* kids now have been in some sort of program (pre k or daycare) before K that teaches them shapes and colors and counting. So I think it's safe to assume that although its not a requirement, in order to keep up with the other kids they should know this.

Both my DDs started reading in January of K. This was the natural progression of me reading to them a lot, being in prek and then what they were taught the 1st few months of K.

IMO you don't have to teach your 4 yo child and younger anything specific to "prep" for K, just keep reading to them, expose them to different people, places and things, talk to them a lot, limit screen time, and let them use their imagination and play!!!!

What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

DS#1 went to Kindergarten reading....was able to write number/letters- short sentences... Knew: Full name, DOB, Adddress, Phone number etc...

DS#2- is in Pre-K now and if I had to guess; judging by his beginning blending sounds- will prob be about the same....

Many kids in DS kindergarten class did not have the skills though...

Message edited 12/18/2013 1:18:17 PM.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

My DD turned 4 in August. She can count to 100, but sometimes forgets a few of the higher numbers. She recognizes and can write every letter uppercase and lowercase and can recognize and write most numbers. She can do very basic addition using her fingers to count. She knows rhyming words, opposites and can spell/read basic words.

ETA: When she writes her letters, they are in no way neat or a normal size

Message edited 12/19/2013 12:16:45 PM.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

Another question- For those of you that did sight words... Did you use flash cards? Something else? I looked at the caterpillar wall, it's super cute, but I'm not crafty in any way.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

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Message edited 12/19/2013 6:26:01 PM.

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

Message edited 12/19/2013 6:27:13 PM.

What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

Ds is in k now.

He knew how to write/sound letters. I think this was very helpful bc it seemed like it was review. He could count to 30.

He couldn't read many words. Teacher said he is at a level c now (means nothing to me except he was at b about a month ago)

He could do simple math by counting - not quick

My sons teacher has a bunch of websites on her school page. Maybe see if your school has something similar

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

Posted by JennyPenny

My DD turned 4 in August. She can count to 100, but sometimes forgets a few of the higher numbers. She recognizes and can write every letter uppercase and lowercase and can recognize and write most numbers. She can do very basic addition using her fingers to count. She knows rhyming words, opposites and can spell/read basic words.

ETA: When she writes her letters, they are in no way neat or a normal size

Re: What did your children know going into Kindergarten?

My DD went to pre K that definitely taught her way more than she needed. Kindergarten screening was easy for her. She also always had a desire to learn beyond her age. Thankfully she got a great kindergarten teacher who saw that she was more advanced and told me she has been having her help the other kids in the class who are lagging. Point is, it's not like it used to be where there were smart kids and those of us who struggled and often the smart made us feel badly. I also like that the teacher isn't letting the kids who know more to get bored, she is helping them learn to assist others. I had heard so many stories of bored kindergarteners. Common Core may also be more challenging and not really give pre k kids the edge it used to. If your child does not attend pre k there is a great site called education.com. You can download worksheets from all grade levels, I swear the kindergarten ones look exactly like the Common Core worksheets my DD comes home with.

My younger DD is in the same pre K . While I know the screening will be cake for her, she receives services from the district. Things do not come easily for her at all. I was worried about her ability to be successful in kindergarten but after a few months of seeing how things are in my older child's class, I think she will find her place. She won't be as advanced as her sister but I think she will do well differently if that makes sense.