School systems expect kindergarteners to demonstrate five types of behaviors, known as domains. These areas cover physical coordination, social development, language skills, cognitive growth and an overall inclination to use all these skills. General proficiency in each category means a child is ready to start kindergarten, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). From a kindergarten teacher's perspective, she counts on all of her first-time pupils to master the basics like listening without interrupting and using the toilet on their own.
Timing means everything to a kindergartner. Children who start school prematurely lag behind their peers and often continue to under perform throughout later grades, warns the NCSL. These kids are at a higher risk for engaging in criminal behavior, quitting school and enduring unemployment. Children feel stigmatized when they cannot complete basic tasks in school. In addition, many disorders like dyslexia are not identified until the third grade or even later, meaning children can fall through the educational system cracks without any early intervention, reports the Nemours pediatric health system.
No universal testing method exists to establish a child's readiness for kindergarten, says the NCSL. The primary requirement is that the child be 5 years old when kindergarten classes begin. States often establish a variety of guidelines for assessments, with reading being the most commonly tested area. Many states use behavioral checklists that teachers complete based on classroom observations. However, critics warn that a teacher may demonstrate personal biases toward some students. Or, inadequate training on how to use these lists could influence results.
Mom and Dad are the most effective tools in determining whether a child is ready for kindergarten. A parent should meet with school administrators if her gut instinct questions her child's readiness, says pediatrician Dr. Paul Roumeliotis on his DrPaul.com website. Parents are a child's first teachers. Their personal observations factor heavily into deciding when to enroll youngsters into kindergarten, more so than a series of school-sponsored assessment tests.
Parents encourage their kids' development when they implement specific activities well before that first day of kindergarten. Preschool represents one of the most effective stepping stones because preschool lays the foundation for learning, according to DrPaul.com. Playing with clay or paper exposes kids to new learning methods and materials. Likewise, conversations with other children boost language skills. Another skill-building activity involves turning off the television and reading aloud from books. This strengthens a little one's listening and comprehension skills.