Skip to main content

Top 30 Skills Your Child Needs to Know Before Kindergarten

 Congrats!!! School is over and There are still a couple of months left to work on skills your child needs to grow. I also have the list of goals for your preschooler, pre-kindergartener and first grader as well.


What I need to know before Kindergarten


  1. Aware of his/her own body parts. Differentiates boy from girl.
  2. Knows first and last name
  3. Recognizes and identifies emotions in themselves and others
  4. Displays appropriate social behavior. (e.g, taking turns, sharing, using words to solve issues)
  5. Follows simple routines, rules and responds to changes in routines.
  6. Counts to 10
  7. Uses one to one correspondence to count.
  8. Sort, classify, and match objects.
  9. Begins to identify patterns
  10. Can name some 2D shapes.
  11. Uses words to describe placement of objects (directionality).
  12. Able to distinguish properties of day and night.
  13. Discusses weather and observe weather
  14. Distinguish non living vs living. Explores properties of people and animals.
  15. Follow and execute multi step directions
  16. Uses words to describe pictures. Uses words to describe events in a story.
  17. Answers simple questions about a story read aloud.
  18. Able to Hold a book with two hands and turn its pages.
  19. Recognizes and chooses familiar books to “read” alone.
  20. Makes connections of story to real life events.
  21. Write my first name (begin with capital letter, rest lowercase).
  22. (can recognize first and last name in print).
  23. I know my birthday, address, can call 9-11.
  24. I know all my letter sounds!
  25. Count to 20.
  26. Clap and count syllables.
  27. Count and tell how many.
  28. Decode and read words in an emergent reader.
  29. Name 2D shapes.
  30. Read 10 or more sight words.
  31. Identify rhyming words.
  32. Combine sounds to make a word (c/a/t)
  33. Identify onset and rime (beginning and ending sounds).
  34. Illustrate a drawing and verbally explain what a story is about.
  35. Identify colors
  36. Identify coins
  37. Add and subtract within 5
  38. Sequence a story using pictures and words
  39. Use direction words to identify spatiality.
  40. Classify objects by color, size and shape.

Preschool goals

  1. Aware of his/her own body parts. Differentiates boy from girl.
  2. Knows first and last name
  3. Recognizes and identifies emotions in themselves and others
  4. Displays appropriate social behavior. (e.g, taking turns, sharing, using words to solve issues)
  5. Follows simple routines, rules and responds to changes in routines.
  6. Counts to 10
  7. Uses one to one correspondence to count.
  8. Sort, classify, and match objects.
  9. Begins to identify patterns
  10. Can name some 2D shapes.
  11. Uses words to describe placement of objects (directionality).
  12. Able to distinguish properties of day and night.
  13. Discusses weather and observe weather
  14. Distinguish non living vs living. Explores properties of people and animals.
  15. Follow and execute multi step directions
  16. Uses words to describe pictures. Uses words to describe events in a story.
  17. Answers simple questions about a story read aloud.
  18. Able to Hold a book with two hands and turn its pages.
  19. Recognizes and chooses familiar books to “read” alone.
  20. Makes connections of story to real life events.

Pre- K goals


  1. Write my first name (begin with capital letter, rest lowercase).
  2. (can recognize first and last name in print).
  3. I know my birthday, address, can call 9-11.
  4. I know all my letter sounds!
  5. Count to 20.
  6. Clap and count syllables.
  7. Count and tell how many.
  8. Decode and read words in an emergent reader.
  9. Name 2D shapes.
  10. Read 10 or more sight words.
  11. Identify rhyming words.
  12. Combine sounds to make a word (c/a/t)
  13. Identify onset and rime (beginning and ending sounds).
  14. Illustrate a drawing and verbally explain what a story is about.
  15. Identify colors
  16. Identify coins
  17. Add and subtract within 5
  18. Sequence a story using pictures and words
  19. Use direction words to identify spatiality.
  20. Classify objects by color, size and shape.


My Big List of Kindergarten Goals


  1. Write my first and last name
  2. Identify and sequence numbers 1-20.
  3. Count and tell how many objects up to 20.
  4. Compare groups of objects and numbers using <,>, =.
  5. Write my letters and numbers.
  6. Identify 2D and 3D shapes.
  7. Add and subtract within 10.
  8. Use 10 frames to solve math problems
  9. Identify and make rhyming words.
  10. Identify nouns and verbs.
  11. Blend and read CVC /CCVC words.
  12. I can write my own sentence using a Capital letter at the beginning and punctuation at the end.
  13. I can read number and color words.
  14. I can read 100 sight words.
  15. Use supporting details from a story read aloud to make my point.
  16. Identify beginning, middle, end of story (use words first, second, third).
  17. Use phonetic spelling to write words. E.g (cak)
  18. Represent addition and subtraction with objects, symbols, and fingers.
  19. Decompose numbers less than 10 into pairs (2+3=5; 1+4=5)
  20. I know my letter sounds and can identify vowels.


First Grade Goals

  1. I can show 2 digit numbers as tens and ones. Identifies numbers in hundreds, tens, ones place.
  2. I can identify characters, plot, setting and events in a story.
  3. I can write complex sentences.
  4. I can read grade level text with fluency and accuracy.
  5. I can read and spell consonants, digraphs and inflectional endings.
  6. I can write a narrative piece with at least two events, details, and closure.
  7. I can write with correct punctuation and capitalization.
  8. Identify first, middle, and ending sounds.
  9. I can build and pose shapes to possess defining attributes.
  10. Identify vowel sounds and vowel teams.
  11. I can type a simple web address on the computer.
  12. I can find the missing number in a subtraction or addition problem.
  13. Add and subtract within 20.
  14. Compare 2 digit numbers using >,<, =.
  15. I can tell time.
  16. I can count, write, and read to 120.
  17. I can divide a shape into half and fourths.
  18. Interpret and create simple graphs to organize information.
  19. Identifies the main idea in a story.
  20. I can count money and make change to $1.00

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sensory Play Ideas

  What is Sensory Play and Why is it so Important? Sensory/Messy play occurs when your child is interacting with tactile items that stimulate any of their five senses ( hearing, touch, smell, taste, sight). Sensory play engages your child’s senses which helps them explore and learn about the world. Sensory play builds nerve connections in your child’s neural pathways which develops their cognitive thinking skills. Sensory play allows your child to use their imagination and develop their own creativity as well as self expression. Below you will find some sensory activities as well as recipes.  Adult supervision is always required for any activity. The sensory items below are suitable for children ages 2 and up. However, mamas always know best! Squishy Sensory Bags  Ingredients   1 Cup Flour 6 tablespoons water Food coloring Zip lock bags Duct tape (to secure bags)   Instructions   Mix until all blended  Put in ziploc and remove air bubbles by flattening...

Preschool Transition Tips and Songs

  What is a transition? A transition is a period where you are moving from one activity to another. Transitions can be a trying time and the hardest part of your day. But it doesn’t have to be. Transitions need to be consistent (scheduled) and as short as possible. Children often act out when they are waiting too long for the next activity to start. Minimize your transitions so that your children are not waiting longer than 5 minutes. Fill the time with a song appropriate for the activity- sing a song about food during lunch time, sing a clean up song after center time, sing a goodbye song at dismissal. Planning your transitions in advance will make your life and your child’s life a lot easier. Choose a song or phrase for each activity so your child will know what to expect. Singing the same song or playing a song for a particular activity will provide your child with stability and a sense of control. There are so many things out of a child’s control that they often resist transit...

Preschool/Kindergarten Patriotic Theme

  Patriotic Theme I lived in NJ growing up so I always watched the Macy’s Fireworks in person every year. It was one of my mom’s favorite things to do. I shared in that enjoyment. I could not wait for the time my own son was old enough to enjoy the festivities. These are some of the activities that we decided to try. I wish we had time to try them all. However, we will have to wait until next year. Some of these activities can be done for Memorial Day. Block Area Do you have a future architect or Lego fan? Let your child’s imagination run wild and create a replica of the American Flag with these cool Lego Builds . STEM Independence day is a perfect opportunity for stem activities. Fireworks are the central theme in the following stem activities. Make your own version of Fizzing Fireworks from Toddler Approved. Experiment with the properties of Water & Oil Fireworks in this firework theme activity by Juggling with Kids Stay home and watch a cool firework like display with th...