| Frugal Living for the
Catholic Family Saving Money on Preschool:
Readiness Skills Needed for Kindergarten
By Michelle Jones
As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about to start
Kindergarten this Fall,
I'd like to share with you some things I've learned about Preschool
over the
last ten years, along with a list of readiness skills every child
can be
learning at home - whether attending Preschool or not.
Preschools, especially those taught in a church environment, are a
wonderful
resource that help prepare children for regular school. Not to
mention they
also provide social interaction with children of the same age, and
for a few
hours each week, a much-needed break for Mom. Overall, we highly
recommend
them!
There's just one catch - Preschool is expensive!
Though I truly enjoyed successfully homeschooling our first child
for
preschool in 1994, by the time our next child was ready for
preschool (in
1998) I also had a toddler at home (our third child), and another
shortly on
the way. My husband and I decided it was definitely time for some
help, and
somehow we managed to put our second child through preschool, as
well as the
third. And the fourth - as I've already mentioned, will be
graduating this
year.
If you'd like to send your child to Preschool but would like to keep
the
costs down, try finding a school that offers just two days a week,
that's
what we did. Of course homeschooling would cost even less, but we
realize
that's not an option for everyone - especially working moms.
Whether you choose to home-preschool your child or send him/her to a
local
Preschool on a part-time basis, here's a suggested list of academic,
physical and social skills every preschooler should be learning. If
your
child will be attending Kindergarten in the fall it would be a good
idea to
continue working on these things over the summer. Kindergarten is a
lot
tougher than it was even a few years ago, so the more prepared your
child is
the better off he/she will be!
You will find that Kindergarten Readiness lists will vary but this
is a
great list that covers the basics.
Academic Skills
Say the alphabet
Recognize own name, and letters in name
Recognize as many letters as possible (A-Z)
Count to 10
Recognize numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Count items
Name the basic colors (blue, red, yellow, purple, green, orange,
white,
brown, black)
Physical Skills
Care for personal needs (Use restroom, wash hands, fasten clothes,
wipe
nose, etc.)
Catch item tossed underhand
Walk up and down stairs
Use pencils and crayons
Use scissors & glue stick
Stack blocks
Put toys and class items where they belong
Social Skills (These are always a work in progress!)
Shares and takes turns
Sits quietly and listens in group setting
Follows directions
Demonstrates good manners while eating
Respects other students and adults
Respects other's belongings and class items
Expresses thoughts and feelings clearly
And a Note About Reading.
Depending on your local school system, children now begin reading in
either
Preschool or Kindergarten. It is very important that your child be
familiar
with the letters of the alphabet and if possible, even the sounds
each one
makes. Knowing the letters will make the transition to reading much
easier.
Throughout the early school years, teachers will often remind you
how
important it is to read to your children every day. You can make it
a
special time by letting the child choose the book to be read, and
ask them
questions about the story as you go - this will also help them
develop good
comprehension skills, which are needed throughout life.
Enjoy these early years together, they grow up so fast!
Copyright © 2004 by Michelle Jones
Additional Frugal Living Resources
Michelle Jones, author of Dealing with Debt and publisher of Living
a Better
Life: The Money-Saving Tips Ezine, is a frugal mother of 4 who's
dedicated
to helping families live a better life, not by spending more money,
but
less! If you'd like a free subscription to her monthly Ezine please
visit
www.BetterBudgeting.com for more information.
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