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Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Centennial School District wants all children to be successful and to enjoy school. Parents/Guardians often wonder whether their child is ready to enter kindergarten and ask questions about readiness indicators. A list of informal indicators is provided below for your use. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child or kindergarten, please contact your child’s elementary school: Blue Heron 763.792.6202, Centennial 763.792.5302, Centerville 763.792.5804, Golden Lake 763.792.5902, Rice Lake 763.792.5702.

Relationships and Social Interactions:

  • Participates in group activities
  • Interacts with adults and peers
  • Awareness of personal space of others
  • Follows routines
  • Plays or works cooperatively with peers
  • Takes turns and shares with others

Independent Skills:

  • Takes care of bathroom needs independently
  • Is practicing keeping belongings organized
  • Is practicing tying shoes and zipping/buttoning clothing
  • Asks for help when needed

Listening and Speaking:

  • Uses words to communicate needs and wants
  • Listens to stories for 5-10 minutes
  • Follows directions that involve two or more steps
  • Recalls stories and events

Motor Skills:

  • Holds scissors and is able to cut lines and shapes
  • Can use glue, paint, colors, and draws
  • Grips a pencil and uses it to draw and write
  • Can run, jump, hop, and march 

Reading / Writing / Math:

  • Recognizes many letters of the alphabet
  • Listens to and recognizes different sounds in rhymes and familiar words
  • Has experience with writing tools (pencils, crayons, etc.)
  • Identifies and practices writing first name
  • Copies some letters and numbers
  • Counts to 10 or higher
  • Understanding of how to sort, match, and compare objects
  • Identifies colors and shapes
  • Shows interest in books, rhymes, and other literacy activities

How to develop and encourage these skills:

  • Read 10-15 minutes every day with your child and talk about what you read
  • Sing and share rhymes and songs
  • Provide experiences with purposeful writing such as grocery lists and notes to relatives
  • Provide opportunities for your student to count and explore numbers
  • Provide opportunities for your student to play with other children his/her own age
  • Talk with your child about daily activities
  • Practice independence with self-care skills in everyday routines