School readiness is more than knowing ABCs and 123s. While this is important, it's just as important for children to be healthy both physically and emotionally. School readiness is arriving at school with the knowledge, skills and physical and emotional health needed to successfully participate. It includes having basic human needs such as food, shelter, and loving and nurturing relationships met so that children can focus on learning. The first years of a child's life are critical to their success in school and in life!

BORN & READY TO LEARN VIEW THE CHECKLIST TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD

Parents are the most important teacher a child will ever have, and parents can begin to nurture and foster school readiness in their child as soon as he or she is born.

Parents often ask us what school readiness is and how they can promote school readiness with their child. The good news is that there are opportunities all around you, everyday, that are excellent ways to prepare your child for school and life.

IS MY CHILD READY?

Remember, all children learn different skills at different times. The list below can help guide you as you work toward preparing your child for school. Look at the list and set goals for your child. Work on accomplishing them through everyday routines and fun activities with your child. VIEW THE CHECKLIST.

  • Good Health & Physical Well-Being / My Child:

    • Eats a balanced diet
    • Gets plenty of rest
    • Recieves regular medical and dental care
    • Has all the necessary immunizations
    • Runs, jumps and plays outdoors
    • Works puzzles, scribbles, colors and paints

  • Social & Emotional Preparation / My Child is:

    • Learning to explore and try new things
    • Learning to work well alone and do many things for himself
    • Given many opportunities to be with other children and learning to cooperate with them
    • Curious and is motivated to learn
    • Learning to finish tasks
    • Learning self-control
    • Following simple instructions
    • Helping with family chores

  • Language & General Knowledge / My Child is:

    • Given many opportunities to talk and listen
    • Read to every day
    • Given books and other reading material
    • Monitored by an adult while watching television
    • Encouraged to ask questions
    • Encouraged to solve problems
    • Given opportunities to notice similarities and differences
    • Encouraged to sort and classify things
    • Learning to write her name and address
    • Learning to count and plays counting games
    • Learning to identify and name shapes and colors
    • Listens to and makes music

  • What to Expect: Newborn to One Year Babies begin to:

    • Develop some control over their bodies but rolling over, sitting, standing and walking
    • Become aware of themselves as seperate from others
    • Play with their own hands and feet, then later show interest in toys
    • Communiticate and develop language skills

  • What To Expect: One to Three Year Olds / Toddlers:

    • Are energetic and curious
    • Are self-centered
    • Like to imitate sounds
    • Want to do things for themselves
    • Have short attention spans
    • Add variation to their skills like walking backwards
    • Begin to see how they are like and unlike other children
    • Increase spoken vocabulary

  • What to expect: Three to Five Year Olds / Preschoolers:

    • Start to play with other children, instead of next to them
    • Are more likely to take turns and share
    • Are increasingly self-reliant
    • May develop fears
    • Recognize numbers
    • Like silly humor, riddles and practical jokes
    • Understand and follow spoken directions
    • May attempt to read
    • Can identify at least 10 alphabet letters, particularly those in their own name