SCHOOL READINESS CHECKLIST

Sending your child off to kindergarten is a huge step, both for her and for yourself.  She will learn many new skills in her first year of school.  You can help make her transition into Kindergarten an easier one by making sure she can accomplish this checklist:

• Follows rules and routines
• Is able to transition from one activity to another
• Participates in group activities
• Is able to interact with one or more children
• Is able to share and take turns
• Is able to clean up after play
• Is able to interact with teachers and other familiar adults
• Is able to use words to resolve conflicts
• Seeks out adult assistance to resolve conflicts
• Listens carefully to instructions
• Is able to follow single step direction
• Is able to follow two step direction
• Is able to be understood when speaking
• Is able to relay what has happened (sequence of events)
• Is able to sit and listen to a story
• Is able to retell a story
• Is able to sequence two or three pictures
• Is able to use pictures to communicate
• Writes using scribbles and symbols
• Is able to print name without a model
• Is able to sing and recite the alphabet
• Is able to match upper case letters
• Is able to match lower case letters
• Is able to identify both upper and lower case letters
• Is able to sort colors and shapes
• Is able to count to 20
• Is able to match numbers
• Is able to properly grasp scissors
• Is able to identify 10 colors
• Uses objects to make believe

If your child is able accomplish the above task she will have an easier time entering Kindergarten.  Practice these skills together to help her succeed. 

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS FROM THE ANIMAL WORLD!

Hi there! Howdy! Hey! Hi-ya! Hello Hello, written and illustrated by Cadecott Honoree Brendan Wenzel, is a triumphant and jubilant picture book greeting from the animal kingdom. All sorts of animals welcome the reader from page to page: 

Hello Quiet
Hello Loud
Hello Wild
Hello Proud

The deceptively simple text-told in a cheerful rhyme tailor-made for storytime--celebrates the marvel, curiosity, inclusion, and diversity in the natural world, while the exquisitely vibrant illustrations showcase just some of the myriad of animals children could encounter in the world around them, from a cuttlefish to an aardwolf. An appendix of the animals is included in the backmatter, along with an inspirational author's note inviting young readers to find out more, especially about the many threatened and endangered animals they might see in the pages in an effort to help save them. 

Share this book with babies through kindergartners to spark a joy of nature and celebrate it's extraordinary wonder. 

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART III

It's time for our last batch of Parent & Child Activities.  I hope you and your little one have been having a great time exploring all these activities together.

Babies

• Dance Party: Listen and dance to music 
• E-I-E-I-O: Sing 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' 
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Toddlers

• Easy as 1, 2, 3: Count stairs as you go up or down
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• Tinkering Around: Enjoy a STEAM activity at your local neighborhood library
• Shake Your Sillies Out: Have a dance party with your toddler.  
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Preschoolers

• With a 1, 2, 3: Sing a Storytime song to a favorite stuffed animal or figure
• Stroll for the Senses: Go for a walk and discover 5 new words to describe what you see, hear, and smell
• Cast Your Vote: Have your preschooler vote 'Good', 'Better', 'Best' on items in a category (songs; hats; fruit, etc...)
• Check Out the Library: Come to your local neighborhood library
• Sing, Play, Learn: Come to Storytime at your local neighborhood library
• Tinkering Around: Enjoy a STEAM activity at your local neighborhood library
• Shake Your Sillies Out: Have a dance party with your preschooler. Let them choose the music.
• That's My Jam: Come see a performer this summer at your local neighborhood library

Remember, these activities are great for you and your little one year round.  Keep exploring with your baby, toddler or preschool and have fun together!

PARENT & CHILD ACTIVITIES, PART II

I hope you have been enjoying your Parent and Child Activities so far this summer.  Here are some new ideas to keep the fun going.

Babies

• One Potato, Two Potato: Sing to your baby at feeding time
• Pat a Cake, Pat a Cake: Play clapping or fingerplay games like 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' and 'Pat a Cake'
• Walk and Talk: Name and describe what you see along the way
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Say and point to body parts
• Silly Voices, Serious Fun: Read a book using funny voices

Toddlers

• The Big Picture: Read a book and talk about the picture on the cover
• Toy Story: Make up a story about your toddlers favorite toy
• Show and Tell: Draw shapes and letters with crayons
• Snuggle Spot: Make a reading fort with blankets and cushions
• Old Favorite, New Twist: Play 'Say it loud, say it soft, say it fast, say it slow' with new words
• Silly Noises, Serious Fun: Make silly sounds
• A, B, C, Wheee!: Sing the alphabet in rhythm while pushing your toddler on the swings

Preschoolers

• Sorting Hat: Give your child a bag to fill with items in a category (a color; a texture; used for bedtime, etc...)
• Kitchen Band: Make a pots and pans band
• Fun Fact, Paddywhack: Read an information book and write a fact your preschooler remembers and have her draw a picture 
• Explore: Read a new book in a new place
• Puzzled: Do a floor puzzle with your preschooler
• Let's Listen: Listen to an audiobook together
• Fresh Air: Play outside together
• Ready to Write: Maker your preschooler a writing kit with papers and writing tools in a portable container

Check back next time for the third and final installment of our Parent & Child Activities.