The New Age of Kindergarten

Will Your Child Be Ready?

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Your little Sophia doesn't seem all that little these days. She's four years old – "four and a half," she reminds you – going on 10. She can now tie her own shoes. She knows her colors, shapes, and numbers backwards and forward. She can even say them in Spanish! But is she ready to move on to kindergarten when she turns five?

Not necessarily, most administrators say.

More often than not, the decision to promote a child from pre-school, or pre-K, is not up to the parent. And it is not based solely on your child's ability to add, or to count in Spanish.

In many school situations, in most states, children are often promoted to kindergarten at the age of five. "Public schools in California at least," Jessica Vincent, Director of ABC Little School in Van Nuys, says "must promote any child who has turned five to kindergarten." That is not the case with her school or with most daycares and preschools.

For Vincent, and many of the directors we spoke with, maturity is the biggest factor in determining if Steven will get moved up to the next grade level.

At ABC, Vincent says her teachers look at not only a child's success in testing for certain skills, but they look at behavior. Observing behaviors such as whether the child "has an attention span of more than 10 or 15 minutes," or "shows a lack or a willingness to do the work," helps teachers assess a child's maturity. Ultimately, Vincent suggests, a child whose attention can be held for longer than 10 or 15 minutes "most likely can handle the work required of a kindergartener."

Maturity, for Donna Dombroski, of All About Kids Preschool and Daycare in Woodland Hills, connotes social and emotional maturity. For Dombroski, some signs of social maturity include whether the child can be independent; understand and practice manners; ask questions; and follow directions. Emotionally, does the child show self-confidence alone and in group situations?

"A mature child is a happy child," Dr. Megan Scannell, Director of the Village School of Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, says. When children are scared or worried are distracted, their fears and worries in turn distract them from learning.

For Scannell, a mature child is one who can the child handle the promotion socially and emotionally. Some factors Scannell looks for: Is the child scared to leave the parent or guardian? Does the child fear new situations? Has the child moved beyond "parallel play?" (Parallel play, she describes, is when a child chooses to play alone if, for example, she is at a table, surrounded by other children, or even simply next to one other child.)

Dombroski stresses the importance of maintaining good communication with your child's teachers along the way. Usually, she says, her teachers "constantly update parents of their child's behaviors." Even in those passing conversations as you come to pick your child up in the afternoon, the teacher lets you know " Kristin received a star on her chart today because she did so well following directions during our outing to the park today!" Or, "Kristin seemed a little off today. She sat off to the side during activities today. And she didn't eat any of the snacks during the day, like she usually does." So first, it is important to pay attention to the daily clues.

Another suggestion both Dombroski and Dr. Scannell make is for parents to really step up involvement during your child's fourth year. This year is pivotal, they both agree, because your child will be assessed and observed most during this time, in preparation for kindergarten. Taking steps along the way to help your child work on following directions, or making play dates to encourage her to play with others, can go a long way.

Ultimately, principals agree, since your child is spending a large chunk of his day in school, the teachers are constantly working with them to prepare them for their next step. But being on the same "page" with your child's teacher all along the way is the best way to ensure your child makes it to her next "chapter."