One of the most essential skills that children are expected to have upon entering kindergarten is an awareness of the alphabet. To ensure your child is familiar with the alphabet, the names of the letters and perhaps even the sounds that they make, use engaging activities that interest her and get her excited about learning these important symbols. Sing the alphabet song and point to the letters of the alphabet on an alphabet chart while doing so. Point out letters in words found on signs and ask your child to name them. Jumble up magnetic letters and ask your child to arrange them in alphabetical order or ask her to show you a specific letter. Play eye-spy and ask your child to identify an item that begins with a specific letter sound, or have her hunt for items that begin with a specific letter sound.
Just as important as having an awareness of the alphabet is being able to make sense of numbers. Upon reaching kindergarten, children should be able to identify at least the numbers one through five and know how much the numbers represent. As with the alphabet, use activities that interest your child to instill number sense. Set out objects, point to them and count them. Write numbers with sidewalk chalk and have your child shout the numbers while jumping on them. Arrange number flashcards in numerical order and ask your child to tell you the names of the numbers. Scramble the order of the flashcards and have him arrange the cards in sequential order. Write numbers on construction paper and have him place an amount of stickers on the numbers that corresponds to each one.
Along with having a recognition of letters and numbers, children are expected to be able to write them, and if they aren't able to write these graphic symbols, they are at least expected to be able to hold and properly use a writing implement. To offer practice, spread shaving cream or pudding on a cookie sheet and encourage your child to write in it with her finger. Write letters and numbers on construction paper and have her trace them with finger paint, colored pencils, markers and crayons. Cut out letters and numbers from sandpaper and have her trace them with her finger.
Dexterity with scissors is an important skill that your child should at least almost master by the time he enters kindergarten. Show him how to hold a pair of safety scissors and encourage him to practice opening and closing them. Offer him paper and allow him to practice cutting the paper with the scissors. Draw lines and shapes on paper and prompt him to try to follow the lines to cut the paper. Offer him pieces of tissue paper, yarn and clay to cut.