Saving Money on Preschool: Readiness Skills Needed for Kindergarten

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

About The Author

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.

editor@betterbudgeting.com

---

How Many Sex Offenders Live On Your Block?

For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives... Read More

10 Reasons Why You Need to Ditch the Super Mom Syndrome

For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More

Helping Your Teen Get Back to School With Clear Skin

Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More

Why First Borns Fuss, Seconds Are Resilient and Last Borns Like To Laugh

How can two or three children in the same family... Read More

Childs Play: Treating The Insanity of the Mental Health System

In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More

Why have children? DINCs, This is For You!

First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the... Read More

Back to School Success Tips

Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More

What a Parent Must Do to Stop Online Predators

Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More

If your child is being bullied - 20 top tips for parents

Keith is now in the fourth grade and he dislikes... Read More

Top Seven Tips for Back-to-School Success

Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More

Mommy, I Can?t Sleep! Sleep Disturbance in Children

"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More

How to Cope With Colic

When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor... Read More

Does Your Child Need A Bedtime Routine? - Yes!

Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More

Career Education: Does Not Mean the 6 Year College Plan

Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More

Finding Answers to Underachievement

Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult... Read More

Back to School Responsibilities Again

It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More

The ABCs of Raising Twins

As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More

The B Word

Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More

The Mystery of Child Beliefs, Spirit in Children, Understanding Spirtuality in Children

In the wonderment of childhood, it is easier for a... Read More

A Mothers Way

Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More

?Mommy, I Can?t Sleep!?: Sleep Disturbance in Children

Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More

Homeschooling ? Is It Worth It?

Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child... Read More

Dinner Table Drama

It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More

Punishing the Victim -- Why Public Schools Pressure Parents To Give Their Kids Mind-Altering Drugs

Public-school teaching is structured in such a way that it... Read More

Busy Moms, Dont Forget to Take Time Out for You!

As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More

Picky Eater Syndrome

'Picky Eater' is a label coined to describe the phenomenon... Read More

Working Moms: Too Busy for Your Children?

17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More

How Effective Is EEG Neurofeedback Training in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD?

Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: But everyone else gets to do it!

Q. We are getting to the stage with our kids... Read More

Pipe Down!

Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More

Disciplining the Wild Child

Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More

When Time Out Dont Work

Joey steps away from his time out chair "I won't... Read More