Some Great Skills for Children Commencing Kindergarten

         Use the toilet independently

        Follow verbal instructions/directions (1 step or more)

        Dress and undress (jumper, hat, shirt, shoes & socks without tying laces)

        Identify/recognise own name in print

        Look after own belongings

        Share with peers

        Express/indicate needs and wants

        Hold pencil to make marks on paper

        Keep still for short periods of time and listen to stories

        Separate from parents at school

        Take turns

        Speak clearly

        Identify own school bag and belongings

        Open lunch box and packaging

        Use handkerchief/tissue

        Say their name                              

        Know to/how to wash hands after toileting

        Play with peers appropriately

        Respond to their name

        Communicate with peers and teachers

        Ask and answer questions

        Use or attempt  to use scissors

        Can or attempting to tie shoe laces

        Write their own name in lower case letters

        Put things away

        Know common colours, shapes and number (orally)

        Eat independently                                 

        Participate in group activities    

A note from the Kindergarten Teacher

Preparing your child for Kindergarten

Hello and welcome to Figtree Heights Public School. Our job is to teach your child foundation reading, mathematic and life skills so they can go on to learn important things and prepare for the big world. You will be comforted to know that we are passionate about our job and want your child to feel happy, safe and cared for. We believe that Kindergarten is the most important year in a child’s schooling, so we do our best to get it right.

 Things you can do to help prepare your child for school:

Practise:

·      Name recognition.

·      Writing name in foundation style (see previous page).

·      Nursery rhymes—vital for teaching reading

·      Pencil grip—like a bird beak or a crab claw.

·      Scissor grip—thumbs on top, pointing forward, use helping hand to turn the page.

·      Recess (11.00am) and lunch (1.00pm) - familiarise children by practising    eating at these times. Teach children to open their lunch boxes, Yogurt      containers, half-cut cheese wrappers, popper straw wrappers.

·      Taking off jumpers. Sometimes children will sit hot for hours because they don’t want to ask a teacher to help them.

·      Reading with your child as often as possible. Use your finger to indicate the words. Ask them to help retell the events of the story.

·      Counting everything.

·      Comparing objects, e.g. ‘This egg is smaller than the orange’.  ‘You are taller then that fence’. ‘Which is heavier, the grape or the watermelon?’

 Shoes

·      If your child cannot tie their own shoelaces, teach them, or get shoes with   Velcro fasteners. Children walk their loose shoelaces into toilets and it is not hygienic for us to tie up dirty shoe laces

We invite you and your child to visit the Kindergarten room before or after school on any day to say hello and receive a sticker (for you child, not you J). Familiarity can help to smooth the transition to school. We look forward to meeting you all and working with you next year to ensure the best possible outcome for your child. Please feel free to ask us any questions.

 Regards

Kindergarten Teacher