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Is Your Child Really Ready for Kindergarten?


There’s much more to kindergarten readiness than whether your child shows interest in letters or can zip her own jacket. Some of the most important indicators are social and emotional skills. Use this quiz to help you gauge your preschooler’s ability to separate willingly, cooperate in a group, and perform other essential tasks.

But remember, a lack in one or several of these areas in no means disqualifies your child from kindergarten. This test should only be one small part of your decision-making process. It’s also very important to:
•  talk to your child’s preschool teacher or caregiver, if she has one, and/or her pediatrician
• evaluate the kindergarten program she’ll be in very carefully
• most importantly, trust your own instincts about your child’s readiness

1.  Does your child attend preschool (or child care)?
Yes
No, but he is enrolled in classes where he learns in a group setting
No, but I drop him off in group settings (church nursery, Mom’s Day Out programs) regularly
No
2.  How does your child handle separations from you?
She dives in to the activity without so much as a backward glance
She is hesitant at first, but warms up quickly
She needs a long, gradual transition
She refuses to let me leave her side
3.  Will there be any familiar faces in your child’s kindergarten class?
Yes, some of the children from his preschool will be there
Yes, he knows the teacher because he goes to PreK in the same building
Yes, the school has a program to encourage summer playdates among classmates
No, I think all the kids and the teacher will be new to him
4.  Can your child visit the kindergarten classroom in advance?
Yes, the school has a special program for incoming students
Yes, the school allows informal tours
No
5.  How would you rate your child’s level of confidence?
High — she’s very self-assured
Medium — she takes pride in her achievements
Low — she is often frustrated with herself
Nonexistent — she is very anxious
6.  How well does your child get along with other kids?
Very well — he often leads his peers in dramatic play
Fairly well — he can resolve some conflicts, but needs help with others
Okay — he needs adult guidance to play well with others
Poorly — he often plays alone because he has trouble joining a group
7.  What will your child’s kindergarten classroom be like?
It seems a lot like her preschool, with learning centers and lots of hands-on activities
It’s near the 1st and 2nd grade rooms, but has its own warm, welcoming feeling
I sense that the teacher and principal make a lot of efforts to adapt the environment and learning to each child’s needs
All of the above
None of the above
8.  How well does your child communicate?
He is always comfortable expressing his opinion and asking questions
In most settings, he does a good job explaining his views
It depends on the situation
He is reluctant to articulate his thoughts and feelings
9.  Would you call your child a good listener?
Yes, most of the time; she can follow complicated verbal commands and pays close attention to books read aloud
Sometimes — if she is interested in a story or song, she is very attentive and can answer questions about what she’s heard
Not really — she is often disruptive in situations that call for her attention
10.  What efforts will the school/kindergarten make to foster a smoother transition for new students?
A gradual separation process in the first days and weeks
Home visits by the teacher
Spring and summertime classroom visits
Liberal opportunities for parents and teachers to work together in the child’s best interest
All of the above
None of the above