Discussions

My oldest child will be going to kindergarten soon. I am a stay at home mom and he doesn't go to old-school or day care, so I want to make sure he will be ready for the next step of kindergarten. I have read through the online curriculum for kindergarten, but to be honest, it's pretty long and wordy.  
 
So I'm looking for insight from anyone with kids recently entering school or anyone with knowledge of the early school years. What actual skills, abilities, knowledge, etc. should he have before going to kindergarten?

I have been wanting to know this as well!!!

It isn't totally specific but their is a page with some basic requirements for K students.  
 
https://www.gov.mb.ca/healthychild/edi/gettingreadyforschool.pdf

this may not apply, but if you children were born after Sept., hold them back a year. I was a December baby and started kindergarten at four. I always seemed to be a little behind, could not be involved with kids in my grade with sports, due to age differences.  
 
My best friends were Feb. babies, so almost a year difference.  
 
Graduated and had to move away from home at 17.  
 
Waiting that extra year helps a lot.  
 
**just something I thought I would throw out there....  
 
Edited by Brenda, 2017-11-27 12:05:24

Brenda said "this may not apply, but if you children were born after Sept., hold them back a year. I was a December baby and started kindergarten at four. I always seemed to be a little behind, could not be involved with kids in my grade with sports, due to age differences.     My best friends were Feb. babies, so almost a year difference.     Graduated and had to move away from home at 17.     Waiting that extra year helps a lot.     **just something I thought I would throw out there....     Edited by Brenda, 2017-11-27 12:05:24"

I was in the same boat being Jan baby. Really sucked having my grad going to the bar to celebrate yet I'm one of 2 people that were 17 and they ID'd everyone. Royally Sucked! Plus there is the social opportunities or shall I say lack of as Brenda said.

Can they toilet themselves, wipe themselves etc.  
Tie own shoes, put on own jacket, do the zipper  
Listen to others, ask for help if needed.  
Helps to be able to open own containers for snack and lunch as teacher cannot open for every child.  
 
They will teach them but if you haven't already: hold a pencil, use scissors and glue, work on colors, numbers, letters etc.  
 
I think the biggest thing is some independence (toileting, dressing etc).

Fishin Guy said "It isn't totally specific but their is a page with some basic requirements for K students.     https://www.gov.mb.ca/healthychild/edi/gettingreadyforschool.pdf "

Is an excellent resource and has great information.

Bluebell said "Can they toilet themselves, wipe themselves etc.   Tie own shoes, put on own jacket, do the zipper   Listen to others, ask for help if needed.   Helps to be able to open own containers for snack and lunch as teacher cannot open for every child.     They will teach them but if you haven't already: hold a pencil, use scissors and glue, work on colors, numbers, letters etc.     I think the biggest thing is some independence (toileting, dressing etc). "

My son started kindergarten this year and talking to his kindergarten teacher, resource teacher (I work in the school he attends) and his OT and the list Bluebell wrote is pretty much what I was told, the main thing is being independent in tasks.  
 
Fine motor control in kinders is often lower these days so do lots of fine motor activities like colouring (with crayons is best), play dough, beading etc. Try to work on how to hold a pencil properly and how to hold scissors properly. Also that they recognize their name.  
 
My son has some delays and barely knew any letters before kindergarten and now he is doing amazing!

My kids were tested at their nursery school on motor skills such as cutting along a line with scissors, printing their first names, colors, abc's, count to 10 and gross motor skills. They also had their hearing and eyesight tested. The pre-school wellness fair might be a good resource.

https://www.facebook.com/events/129958694352082??ti=ia

I was an october baby, with 3 family members that were december babies.  
 
For us, in the end, we went to kindergarten when we were 4 and did quite well in school - scholastically, athletically, and socially.  
 
Read into the curriculum and as a parent you know your child best. I wouldn't automatically ,by default, hold my own child a year.

$entropy$ said "I was an october baby, with 3 family members that were december babies.     For us, in the end, we went to kindergarten when we were 4 and did quite well in school - scholastically, athletically, and socially.     Read into the curriculum and as a parent you know your child best. I wouldn't automatically ,by default, hold my own child a year. "

I was ready too. I am just saying that in the later years, it becomes harder to play sports with your classmates, socialize in your teens, as you are always on the cut off date, usually playing sports with the year before you.  
 
Driving, socializing, moving out at 17 (nothing to do in the town I grew up in, so had to move to Brandon).  
 
I managed, I survived...there are just some things to consider, being academically ready is not the only things.

Our daughter started Kindergarten this past September! She didnt go to pre-school and was never in day care as i am a stay at home mom too. We worked on basic pre-school things at home with work books i bought at walmart and practiced writing her name at home so she would be prepared and she loved it. I was worried about her adjusting to a school environment after always being with a family member her whole life, but she LOVES school and we had no issues at all. She didnt even have tears the first day dropping her off and she adjusted so well! I think a lot of it comes from how positive the parents are towards the experience too which can make it easier for the kids. Make it an exciting big step and they will feed off how you feel about it! She is in a half day every day kindergarten class and i think thats helped a lot so its not an all day away from home thing. Next year will be all days and she will be ready for that now!

Thank you to all who gave suggestions on things a child should know before going to school! I really appreciate it! While he knows a lot of those things, it gave me ideas on more things we can start working on. He will be going to school in September 2019 (he's just 3 1/2 now), but it's nice to know that I'm steering him in the correct direction.  
 
Thank you, mamasnapped, for your comments about your daughter, it makes me feel much better! Many other parents I personally know criticize our decision for me to stay at home with our kids full time, so it's nice to know others have done it and succeeded. Thank you!

I’m a September baby and my oldest is an October baby. I wish I would have held him back another year. :/ I still might at grade 2. We will see if thing improve, but he is struggling as did I.

If you have a child entering Kindergarten in September 2018, please join us at one of the following Divisional Kindergarten Information Meetings:  
 
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 6:30 pm  
Valleyview Centennial School, 65 Whillier Drive, Brandon  
 
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 6:30 pm  
École New Era School, 527 Louise Avenue, Brandon  
 
Information will be provided regarding:  
* English as an Additional Language Registration Process;  
* St. Augustine School & French Immersion Application Process;  
* Child in Care Registration Process;  
* Types of Documentation Required;  
* Transportation;  
* Lunch Programs;  
* Before & After School Programs; and  
* What to Expect After Registration.  
 
If you require any disability accommodations or an interpreter for either event, please contact our office: Brandon School Division—Office of Communications  
Phone: 204-729-0388 Email: info@bsd.ca