Anonymous wrote:He should be able to open his own lunch containers, fasten his own shoes/coat, be completely potty independent including wiping. He should be able to transition from one activity to another, be able to get along in a group, be able to focus on something that isn’t his favorite.

Don’t worry about letters etc - he will pick them up and they are easy to teach to a kid who can do all the above.

This except I disagree on letters. Kids should recognize letters by name and be able to produce their sound. Also count to 20.

Kid ideally would be able to open lunch, put on jacket, put on shoes (just velcro), go to the bathroom independently.

Don't worry about being "behind." There will be kids who know more than your kids, but that doesn't mean he is behind.

Read to your kid, do bedtime math with your kid (there is a website and some books). You will be fine.

If your kid wants to read, let them. Have some books around that your kid can read if they want to try, like the Bob book starter set. if your child brings them to you, then go for it. If they don't, then don't.

Get play dough or modelling clay or lacing games so your kid can build up grip strength and work on motor skills.

Thanks everyone, I am feeling much better now. I really want to enjoy this last year and not pressure him (he doesn't respond well to pressure anyway...).

Also, I wouldn't worry about the letters at ALL until next spring. We have a few alphabet books that I would read my 4 year olds to gauge what they knew. I'd have them tell me the letters they know. No pressure if they get it wrong, just tell them and move on.

If they get them, great. If not, they'll be ok.

Anonymous wrote:He should be able to open his own lunch containers, fasten his own shoes/coat, be completely potty independent including wiping. He should be able to transition from one activity to another, be able to get along in a group, be able to focus on something that isn’t his favorite.

Don’t worry about letters etc - he will pick them up and they are easy to teach to a kid who can do all the above.

+1

You will be shocked how quickly they pick up the actual lessons and are engaged in the style of learning. But he needs to be able to see to his own other needs so he can focus on what the teachers are there to teach.

how to open his own lunch

Please don't worry now. It's way early, kids are ever evolving and will learn, and he's in preschool so he is on a good trajectory.

No need to put pressure on your kid or yourself.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP -- the social skills are probably the biggest learning curve for him particularly dealing with rowdy boys who shove him, etc.

He's completely able to potty independently but we are dealing with a constipation issue right now. He doesn't want to do #2 at school because the door doesn't lock and other kids come in when he is using the bathroom. Not sure how to deal with that.

Talk to the teacher. They should not be letting kids into the bathroom when it's occupied.

Thanks PP -- the social skills are probably the biggest learning curve for him particularly dealing with rowdy boys who shove him, etc.

He's completely able to potty independently but we are dealing with a constipation issue right now. He doesn't want to do #2 at school because the door doesn't lock and other kids come in when he is using the bathroom. Not sure how to deal with that.

My kid did K at a very large Arlington school last year. I had the benefit (I guess) of sitting in a room with her while she did class, so I could tell where most kids were at. And...most kids could not read or write yet. Only about 3 out of 20 could.

Having said that, focus on letter recognition, sounds of the letters, pencil grip. Make sure your kid can count to 100. Work on self care skills like dressing and opening snacks. I'd say that's about it. My kid went in knowing most of the letter sounds and came out reading at an E level. There's really no reason to push your 4 year old if they're not feeling it.

Oh yeah, and there shouldn’t be any homework in kindergarten.

My kid went in to k not even knowing all her letters. We had sent her to a play based school and never pushed letter memorization on her. She’s reading short sentences now after less than 2 months. She’s writing sentences too though clearly misspelling most words.

He should be able to open his own lunch containers, fasten his own shoes/coat, be completely potty independent including wiping. He should be able to transition from one activity to another, be able to get along in a group, be able to focus on something that isn’t his favorite.

Don’t worry about letters etc - he will pick them up and they are easy to teach to a kid who can do all the above.

4 year old is in PreK now and it is play based. I used to try to teach him but I took last year off because he wasn't interested. But now I'm worried reading these threads -- seems like some are going in knowing how to read and write. What should I be teaching him? What type of homework, etc. will he receive in K? Are there any other skills I haven't realized he needs to know like tying his shoes, etc.? His K will be in Arlington at a very large school. Can't tell if he is behind.