Top 18 Skills to Know Before Kindergarten | ISHCMC (2024)

A smooth transition into kindergarten is based on a child’s solid grounding. This article focuses on the essential skills to know before kindergarten, encompassing the five core areas. These areas include social/emotional development, approaches to learning, language and literacy, cognition and general knowledge, physical development, and health.

Parents can efficiently prepare their children for a successful and enjoyable kindergarten experience by understanding these five areas, including the specific skills that fall under them. So, what social skills do children need to know before kindergarten?

• • Mathematical thinking skills
  • Language and literacy skills
  • Personal and social development skills
  • Physical development skills
  • Art skills

Mathematical Thinking Skill

Children entering kindergarten should be well versed in mathematical thinking because it significantly influences future academic success. These pre-kindergarten skills allow them to understand the world around them and develop a love for learning mathematics.

1. Patterns and Relationships

• • Know basic colors: Children need to identify and name primary and secondary colors such as red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, black, white, brown, pink, etc. It is also important because it helps build a foundation for sorting, classifying, and pattern recognition.
  • Recognize simple patterns: Recognizing repeated patterns, such as ABAB or red-yellow, is some basic knowledge for comprehending sequences and logical reasoning.

2. Number Concept and Operations

• • Count to at least twenty: Counting the exact number of objects is crucial in finding number relationships and carrying out simple addition exercises.
  • Count objects with meaning to 10: Counting objects purposely, like counting several apples in a bowl, helps children relate numbers to real-world scenarios.
  • Identify numerals 1-10 in random order: Identifying written numerals, irrespective of their orders, enhances the connection between numeral symbols and their quantities.
  • Classify objects based on specific attributes: Sorting objects by color, size, or shape encourages critical thinking and the ability to identify similarities and differences.

3. Geometry and Spatial Relation

• • Identify basic geometry shapes: The ability to differentiate among basic shapes (such as circles, squares, and triangles) introduces children to elementary geometric concepts.
  • Understand positional/directional concepts: Grasping what “above”, “below”, “in front”, and “behind” mean helps children develop spatial awareness, which is necessary for mathematical thinking.

4. Measurement

• • Know how to use comparative words: Children use comparative words like “bigger” and “smaller” to compare, contrast, and understand different kinds of quantities.
  • Measure height, length, volume, and weight: Begin with non-standard measurement units (like blocks, and cups) for practical activities related to measuring helps gain knowledge about measurement concepts from an early age.
  • Understand basic concepts of time: Through learning the difference between morning and afternoon or yesterday and today, toddlers can start recognizing time as a sequence.

Language and Literacy Skill

By the time children reach kindergarten, they have already developed reading readiness skills. These abilities enable them to communicate well both orally and in writing while enhancing their understanding of the world around them and fostering their creativity.

5. Listening

• • Follow multi-step directions: The ability to follow directions with multiple steps prepares children for active listening and following complex instructions in the classroom.
  • Understand conversation: They can comprehend conversations on familiar topics, allowing them to participate actively in discussions and interactions.

6. Speaking

• • Speak clearly enough: Their pronunciation becomes more apparent, allowing them to communicate effectively with both familiar and unfamiliar listeners.
  • Take turns when talking with others: Kindergarteners understand the importance of waiting for their turn to speak in a conversation, fostering respectful communication.
  • Speak in sentences: They can use complete sentences to express their thoughts and needs, demonstrating growth in their grammatical understanding.
  • Use the correct words: The more children learn new words, the more they can convey their ideas more precisely and gain deeper insight into everything that surrounds them in various ways.

7. Writing

• • Express ideas with scribbles, shapes, and letter-like symbols: Kindergarten children can express themselves in drawings with scribbles, shapes, and symbols that look like letters.
  • Write alphabet letters in both upper and lowercase: Kindergarteners should learn how to correctly write all the alphabet letters in upper and lower cases.
  • Write first and last names correctly: Children know how to write their first and last names correctly, showing they understand letter formation and sequencing.

8. Literature and Reading

• • Retell simple stories in sequence: Understanding simple narratives helps children retell stories sequentially, demonstrating their understanding of the narrative structure.
  • Sequence pictures to tell a complete story: Children show their knowledge of cause-and-effect relationships and story sequences by arranging pictures from left to right or top to bottom.
  • Recognize sight words: They begin recognizing common sight words without sounding them out, building their reading fluency.

9. Alphabet Knowledge

• • Identify uppercase and lowercase letters: Young learners can distinguish between capital (uppercase) and small (lowercase) letters, which is important for later reading purposes when they begin writing.
  • Recite alphabets: Singing the alphabet is not required for learning to read; however, it demonstrates recognition of letters by sound.

Personal and Social Development Skill

Children entering kindergarten need a strong grounding in personal and social development skills. This foundation enables them to easily navigate the unfamiliar learning environment, construct positive relationships with peers and adults, as well as become effective learners.

10. Learning Styles

• • Show eagerness and curiosity: Children naturally inquisitive and enthusiastic about learning are likelier to be engaged in classroom activities and ask clarifying questions. Parents can encourage this by giving their children open-ended materials to play with to explore and develop their learning abilities.
  • Persist in tasks and ask for help: Facing challenges and setbacks is an inevitable learning process. Kindergarteners who show a growth mindset by sticking with challenging tasks and requesting help when necessary develop a willingness to learn from mistakes as well as have a growth outlook on life.
  • Attend and follow directions: Young children should pay attention and complete tasks as directed. Parents can facilitate this growth through clear, brief instructions that use visuals where possible.
  • Improve reasoning and problem-solving skills: Children build critical thinking abilities through playing games or participating in guided activities. Parents can stimulate them by suggesting problems appropriate for their age, which require logical thinking to find solutions.

11. Interactions with Others

• • Interact easily with other children and adults: Kindergarten is a social environment; therefore, children have more opportunities to interact with classmates and their teachers. These interactions include greetings, conversations, and creating positive relationships.
  • Participate in group activities: Group work is an important part that kindergartners should be able to do well; this calls for the ability to follow group rules, wait for one’s turn, and contribute towards the success of their activity.
  • Play well with others: Play is an essential learning process in kindergarten. Children should participate in cooperative play, share toys, and responsibly settle disputes. Beneficial play experiences help children learn social skills, emotional self-regulation, and creativity.
  • Take turns and share: Kindergarteners must master basic social skills like sharing toys and taking turns. Learning to wait patiently and share with others helps foster fairness and cooperation within the classroom.

12. Self-Control

• • Practice calming skills: Five-year-olds experience different emotions each day. They must learn self-regulation techniques and calming strategies to manage these feelings appropriately. Parents can teach their kids how to take deep breaths or detach themselves from frustrating situations so that they can better regulate their emotions.
  • Manage transitions (going from one activity to the next): Moving between activities can be disruptive for them because they might not be ready to stop what they’re doing, or they might not understand how much longer they have left in an activity. Providing children with clear signs, cues, routines, and expectations can help them adjust more smoothly when moving from one activity to another.
  • Be patient: Being patient and having the self-control to wait is a skill children in kindergarten are developing. Waiting for their turn, listening to others, and working at a reasonable pace are some lessons to prepare for kindergarten.
  • Get dressed: Dressing independently promotes feelings of achievement and self-sufficiency in young children. Parents can also help this by creating opportunities for children to practice dressing themselves.
  • Clean up after self: Taking responsibility for cleaning up after activities promotes a sense of order and teaches children to respect their environment. Kindergarten teachers can establish clear expectations and routines for cleaning up after playtime or activities.

13. Conflict Resolution

• • Seek adult help: Knowing when and how to ask for assistance from a teacher or caregiver cultivates independence and problem-solving skills. For instance, parents can teach their children to seek help whenever needed by asking questions or seeking clarifications on any instruction they cannot comprehend or accomplish alone.
  • Use words to resolve conflicts: Disagreements are part of regular social interaction. Parents can help them learn to use their words to express their needs and feelings and resolve conflicts peacefully with their peers.

Physical Development Skills

In kindergarten, children gain greater control over their bodies, improve coordination, and refine their motor skills. The newfound physical ability allows them to participate actively in learning environments and confidently explore the world around them. We will explore some physical development skills that kindergarteners should possess.

14. Fine-Motor Skills

• • Use scissors, glue, and paint easily: By the time children get to kindergarten, they should be capable of using scissors, glue, and paint with ease. This way, they can participate in art projects, make shapes for construction games, and express themselves creatively.
  • Complete puzzle: Puzzles are a fun way to develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. Kindergartners should complete puzzles with increasing complexity, demonstrating their ability to visualize the final picture and manipulate individual pieces.
  • Make a pancake, cake, and snake from playdough: Playdough offers a sensory experience that strengthens fine motor skills. The kindergarteners can use this material to invent different body forms, including flat cakes like pancakes or thick snakes, as an example of their skill in shaping it.
  • Copy different shapes: Kindergarteners can recognize and copy basic shapes such as vertical and horizontal lines, crosses, circles, squares, Vs, and triangles. This skill establishes a foundation for future understanding of geometry and drawing.

15. Gross-Motor Skills

• • Enjoy outdoor activities: Schools must arrange outdoor activities for children to run, jump, or climb. These activities help children acquire gross motor skills and physically strengthen while they healthily enjoy their surroundings.
  • Ball Skills: Being able to bounce, kick, throw, and catch a ball is an essential skill for kindergarteners. It develops hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills while allowing socializing during games.
  • Balance on one foot for 5 seconds: Children should be able to balance on one foot for at least 5 seconds, which improves balance, coordination, and overall body control.
  • Hops on one foot: One-foot hopping aids balance, coordination, and general body control. By this age, most kindergartners can hop with some skills.
  • Climb a playground ladder: Climbing playground equipment like ladders helps children develop gross motor skills, build upper body strength, and overcome challenges.
  • Ride a tricycle: Riding a tricycle is fun, independent transportation that promotes balance, coordination, and leg strength. By kindergarten, most kids should be able to ride a tricycle without adult assistance.

Art Skills

While mastering the alphabet and counting may be a primary focus in kindergarten, arts and music are equally important for a child’s overall development. Here are some artistic and musical competencies that can support a smooth transition to kindergarten:

16. Creative Arts

• • Draw recognizable shapes and simple objects: Kindergarteners should be able to confidently draw basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. This skill strengthens hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning, crucial for future writing skills.
  • Identify colors: Identifying and naming primary and secondary colors is an essential building block for visual literacy. Art activities provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn and practice their color knowledge.
  • Explore various art materials: Kindergarteners are introduced to various art materials, from crayons and paint to collage and playdough. Experimenting with different textures and tools allows them to discover their artistic preferences and develop fine motor skills.

17. Creative Dramatics

• • Take on pretend roles and situations: Dramatic play, where children act out stories and scenarios, can be incorporated into art activities. For instance, children can create masks or costumes to wear while drawing or painting scenes from their favorite books.
  • Imitate the character: Children develop empathy and social understanding by imitating characters and their actions through drawing or movement. They learn to see the world from another’s perspective and express emotions visually.
  • Tell a story with pictures: Art allows children to communicate ideas and stories through images. Parents should encourage children to explain their artwork and discuss the characters, settings, and events they have depicted.

18. Music/Movement

• • Participate in group music experience: Singing songs and playing instruments together fosters community and belonging. Group music activities also teach children to take turns, listen attentively, and cooperate with others.
  • Moves to a beat: Moving their bodies to the rhythm of music helps children develop a sense of rhythm and coordination. Clapping, stomping, and dancing are all enjoyable ways for children to experience music physically.
  • Explore with musical instruments: Exposure to various instruments allows children to discover different sounds and learn basic musical concepts. Shakers, tambourines, and drums are all excellent choices for young children.
  • Copy musical pattern: The ability to repeat and copy simple musical patterns is an important part of future musical development. Singing or playing along with simple melodies helps children develop their auditory memory and sense of pitch.

Strategies to Develop Skills Before Kindergarten for Children

The years leading up to kindergarten are the golden time for children to develop a strong foundation for learning. Here, we explore several strategies parents can implement to nurture various skills that will benefit them in the classroom setting.

• • Active listening: Children learn best by observing and interacting with their environment. Parents can achieve this by quieting their surroundings, making eye contact when speaking, and asking open-ended questions that encourage children to elaborate on their thoughts.
  • Conversation and observation: Everyday routines provide rich opportunities for discussion and observation. While preparing meals, caregivers can engage children by asking them to identify colors, count ingredients, and describe textures. Similarly, encourage children to observe their surroundings during walks or outings, discuss what they see, and ask questions. Parents can promote critical thinking and expression by encouraging children to describe what they see, hear, and feel.
  • Diverse reading: Exposing children to various reading materials fosters a love for language and ignites their imaginations. Storytelling, picture books, and grocery store flyers can all be valuable tools. Parents can enhance the experience by pointing out letters, sounds, and pictures, fostering connections between spoken and written language.
  • Positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement significantly impacts encouraging desired behaviors and developing a growth mindset. Parents should praise children’s efforts, not just the final result. For example, celebrate their focus during a reading session or their persistence when completing a puzzle. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and motivates children to continue learning and exploring.

Nurturing Skills to Know Before Kindergarten with ISHCMC

Equipping children with fundamental skills to know before kindergarten fosters a smoother transition and sets the stage for academic success. While this list provides a strong starting point, it is crucial to remember that every child develops at their own pace.

At ISHCMC, our Early Explorer Programme (EE2, EE3, EE4) offers a nurturing environment to cultivate these essential skills. Through a play-based curriculum and inquiry-based learning, our program fosters a love of learning while igniting your child’s natural curiosity. Explore our website to learn how ISHCMC can empower your child’s development in the critical years before kindergarten. Contact us today!

FAQs

Having established the top 18 skills to know before kindergarten, the following FAQs aim to provide in-depth insights on this topic.

How can parents know if their children are ready for kindergarten academic challenges?

Kindergarten is not just ABCs. Besides the skills a kindergartener should know, parents can also ask these questions to support their children’s academic journey.

• • Social Skills: Does your child play cooperatively, share, and ask for help?
  • Learning Curiosity: Are they eager to explore, ask questions, and persevere through challenges?
  • Communication: Can they express themselves clearly to adults and peers?
  • Focus: Can they sit still and listen attentively during stories or instructions?
  • Independence: Do they desire to do things themselves and handle separation well?

By answering the question above, parents can equip their children for kindergarten.

How can parents help children build social skills and confidence before kindergarten?

Parents can boost social skills and confidence by:

• • Following your child’s interests in activities like clubs or sports creates a fun environment for connecting with like-minded kids.
  • Practicing empathy through role-playing and talking about emotions helps children understand and connect with others.

How can parents identify education gaps in the early stage of children’s kindergarten?

Parents can identify early learning gaps by observing communication, knowledge, and environmental factors.

• • Look for clear speech and an understanding of basic concepts.
  • Notice if your child struggles to follow instructions or grasp new information.
  • Finally, consider if their environment provides opportunities to learn and explore.

The signs of knowledge gaps, communication gaps, or even environmental gaps can hinder learning.