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Saving Money
on Preschool: Readiness Skills Needed for Kindergarten
by Michelle
Jones
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)
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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!
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.
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