A Word About Four-Year-Old Kindergarten…

What will your child will be learning this year? How can you help him or her be successful in school? These are important parent questions! The following will help explain the major academic expectations held by the Shiocton School District for students in four-year-old kindergarten. You’ll also learn more about home/school communications, common behaviors for four-year-olds, and much more.

Developmental Stages of Four-Year-Olds

• Weight: 27-50 pounds
• Height: 37-46 inches
• Uses a spoon and fork skillfully
• Needs 10-12 hours of sleep each night
• Dresses self without much help
• Walks a straight line
• Hops on one foot
• Stacks 10 or more blocks
• Threads small beads on a string
• Catches, bounces, and throws a ball easily

Mental Development

• Can place objects in a line from largest to smallest
• Can recognize some letters if taught
• May be able to print name
• Understands the concepts of tallest, biggest, same, more, on, in, under, and above
• Counts 1-7 objects out loud
• Understands the order of daily routine

Social and Emotional Development

• Takes turns and shares (most of the time)
• May be bossy
• Changes the rules of the game as he/she goes along,
• Likes to talk and carries on elaborative conversations
• Persistently asks why
• Seeks out adult approval
• Enjoys showing off and bragging about possessions
• Has difficulty separating make-believe from reality
• Fearful of the dark and monsters
• Loves to tell jokes that do not make sense

Appropriate Toys for Four Year Olds

• Matching games, puzzles, board games, dominoes
• Play money, pretend cash register
• Plastic blocks and balls
• Glue, crayons, paint, scissors and paper, washable markers
• Colored chalk, play dough
• Trucks and cars, bicycle with training wheels, dress up clothes
• Puppets, books, bean bags, dolls with clothes

Our Goals For The School Year Are For Each Child to:

• Recognize his/her name in print
• Print first name
• Know his/her last name
• Be able to count to 20
• Be able to count 10 objects
• Recognize numbers 1-10
• Identify shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
• Identify eight colors (red, blue, yellow, orange, green, purple, black, brown)
• Retell a story
• Be able to put on own outer clothing
• Be able to zip coat
• Solve minor conflicts with peers
• Display good listening skills
• Pay attention during group activities
• Keep from distracting others
• Follow classroom rules
• Use proper manners

Ideas for Parents

• Read aloud each day and encourage your child to help you retell the story
• Talk about reading. Show your child that words are everywhere: grocery labels, restaurant menus, department store signs, etc.
• Say nursery rhymes and finger plays together.
• Cut out magazine pictures of different shapes, colors, or animals.
• Talk about things being in, on, under, behind, beside, etc.
• Sort and count everything in sight like silverware, socks, and rocks.
• Encourage your child to play with words by providing old coupons, junk mail, newspaper ads, and old cereal boxes.
• Let your child help plan activities and make lists for groceries, errands, etc.
• Set an example for your child. Let your child see you reading.
• Have books and magazines available in your home.
• Give your child books as gifts.
• Enjoy discovering and learning new things with your child.

15 Ways to Help Children Feel Good About Themselves

• CATCH YOUR CHILD BEING GOOD. Give your children praise, recognition, a special privilege, or increased responsibility for a job well done. Emphasize the good things children do.
• TAKE YOUR CHILDREN’S IDEAS, EMOTIONS, AND FEELINGS SERIOUSLY. Children develop positive self-esteem and feel good about themselves when they are treated with respect.
• DEFINE LIMITS AND RULES CLEARLY. It is important to consistently enforce limits and rules, but do allow some leeway for your children within these limits.
• BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL. Let your children know that you feel good about yourself. Let your children know that you also make mistakes and learn from them.
• TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO DEAL WITH TIME AND MONEY. Help your children spend time wisely and budget money carefully.
• HAVE RESONABLE EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. Help your children set reasonable goals so they can achieve success.
• HELP YOUR CHILDREN DEVELOP TOLERANCE TOWARDS THOSE WITH DIFFERENT VALUES, BACKGROUNDS, AND CULTURES. Point out other people’s strengths.
• BE AVAILBLE. Give your children support when they need it.
• GIVE YOUR CHILDREN RESPONSIBILITY. Children feel useful and valued when given responsibility.
• SHOW YOUR CHILDREN THAT WHAT THEY DO IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. Talk with your children about their interests and activities. Go to their games, parents’ day at school, drama and music performances, and award ceremonies.
• EXPRESS YOUR VALUES. Describe the experience that determined your values. Talk about the decisions you made to accept certain beliefs and explain the reasons behind your feelings.
• SPEND TIME TOGETHER. Share favorite activities.
• DISCUSS PROBLEMS WITHOUT PLAYING BLAME OR COMMENTING ON A CHILD’S CHARACTER. If children know there is a problem but do not feel attacked, they are more likely to help look for a solution.
• USE PHRASES THAT BUILD SELF-ESTEEM. Say “Thank your for helping,” or “That’s a good idea!” Avoid phrases that hurt self esteem such as, “Why are you so stupid?” or “How many times have I told you?”
• SHOW YOUR CHILDREN HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM. Give your children lots of hugs. Tell them they are terrific. Find ways to tell your children that you love them everyday

The Shiocton School District has a very informal, social based four-year-old kindergarten program. Learning is done through play, as well as large and small group activities.

Home School Communications

We welcome your partnership in helping your child achieve success in school. By working and talking together, we can create a very positive learning environment.

Ways We Keep in Touch

• Open House (September)
• Parent/Teacher Conferences (November and February)
• Notes and telephone calls
• Please feel free to contact Mrs. Romenesko if you have any questions or concerns