Pre-school readiness...

Another thread in 2-4 got me thinking/worried about my two. I haven't done much cutting, letter tracing, crafts, etc. with them because ... ummm :huh: I seem to not have as much patience with my own kids as I do with others. :blush: I was worried about it for a bit and now I'm back to being worried again. Does anyone know what kids need to know before entering Preschool? My two are starting in the fall and will do they do okay having never cut anything? Or if they can't draw or trace letters? :umm:


:help:

 

Liz, they don't need to know anything before starting preschool. It would be good if they could hold scissors, etc. But they don't need to know that to go go preschool. Anything they know will be extra. They will learn things like drawing, holding scissors, cutting, tracing letters etc. in preschool. Please don't worry about what they need to know before starting preschool. :hug:

 

QUOTE(TwinLove @ Jun 17 2009, 03:30 PM) [snapback]1358365[/snapback]
Another thread in 2-4 got me thinking/worried about my two.


That "thread" got me thinking as well. Today we played with macaroni and crumbled up paper and made balls :rofl:

 

Mine never touched scissors or paint before going to preschool. Actually, one of the reasons they wanted to go, was so they could paint!

 

Seriously, don't worry! We didn't do a lot of crafts at home before Nadia started preschool -- she started at 2. I remember during the first parent/teacher conference, she got a great "report card" except the teachers mentioned she needed a lot of help with scissor cutting.

I called DH from the car and said, "Dude, our child failed scissor cutting." We got such a good laugh out of it. :lol:

Kevan and Karina are also starting this fall, and they'll be a young 2. This summer we're working on how to sit at the kiddie table, unzip their lunch boxes, open Ziploc bags and eat from them, and how to drink from their Thermoses. And oh, how to take bites from sandwiches like civilized people.

We haven't gotten very far yet, LOL.

Your kiddos will be fine!

 

Thank you ladies. :give_rose:

I'm a paranoid, worried mom. :blush: I know they'll be okay... then I start overthinking. It comes with the territory I guess.

Becca, :rofl: Love the "failing scissor cutting" story! That'll be my two.

I did break out the scissors today and yeah, :nea: , I can't teach them that. So they'll have to take an extra course in school on how to do it.

 

QUOTE(sharongl @ Jun 17 2009, 04:10 PM) [snapback]1358501[/snapback]
Mine never touched scissors or paint before going to preschool. Actually, one of the reasons they wanted to go, was so they could paint!

Ditto!!!

 

Liz, I never taught my older kids how to do any of that stuff before pre-school and they all turned out just fine. All three of them have mastered cutting with scissors now. :blbl: Seriously, my two draw (well, scribble) and that's about it for any type of crafts at this age for me. I think if you enjoy doing that sort of thing with them, great, but if not, that's what preschool is for!

I also got a laugh out of the "failed scissor cutting"! Do you think that will be added to her "permanent record"? :lol:

 

QUOTE(Becca34 @ Jun 17 2009, 08:14 PM) [snapback]1358700[/snapback]
I called DH from the car and said, "Dude, our child failed scissor cutting." We got such a good laugh out of it. :lol:


:rofl: I do not have enough patience to attempt giving them scissors. I'll let the trained professionals do that.

 

When I thought about giving my two scissors before they entered preschool, I had visions of my friend Chrissy's daughter Lily after her sister "thought she was a hairdresser". And of my friend Chrissy F-R-E-A-K-I-N-G out about it. Lily had been doing some child modeling up until that time.

 

THEY will do all that with them! I would say ABSOLUTELY SEND THEM!! It will be great for them!! They'll love it!!

 

In my case, I respond to my lack of patience differently. Rather than not having the patience to teach them to use scissors, I can't take it when they are not busy. (usually they start fighting) so I prefer to keep the busy every single moment I'm alone with them. :lol:

I've heard of kindergaten readiness before, but I've never heard of pre-school readiness before.

 

Depending on the preschool, the curriculum can range from a casual "day care" setting to one with a program that is more academic. You might ask the director what their program consists of and what type of skills or academics they will be learning. You could also ask what skills do most of the children come with, do they already color, know how to use scissors, etc.

That way you can prepare your children if you choose to. They will learn everything they need to know when they get there, however sometimes giving your child that extra help ahead of time may give them more confidence in a new situation.

I think having been a teacher for 13 years...I was excited to try out many things early. I couldn't wait to get a crayon or marker into their little chubby fist. We started with really simple 5 minute tasks, but it helped develop their listening and following directions skills while learning and developing fine motor skills at the same time.

Like Meximeli I like keeping the girls busy! It was so nice to have them coloring/drawing for 25 minutes at 2 years old, without having to worry about murals (yes, we did have a couple, but that was on my husband's watch ).

I didn't introduce scissors until 3 years old when they had better coordination and more strength in their fingers.

Anyway, our activities have been the inspiration for my site Teaching Tiny Tots. You might find a couple activities there. I am still developing the younger toddler section so I'll be adding a lot more activities.

Good Luck!
Sharon

 

I have never let mine use scissors until recently. I think in the preschool my kids go to, they dont let them use them until they are 3. . I THINK.. I dont remember seeing any projects at 2yrs in which they used scissors.
But I recently found some design scissors that will cut in zigzags or waves, etc, and they are not sharp at all. So, Ive been letting mine cut with them. They sit at the kitchen table and have at it. I dont expect much, but just letting them get the feel of the scissors and how to hold them. My DS cuts everything into small pieces, and then I just sweep it up when they're done. This is strictly for them to get the feel of it, so if you want to try something like that. . baby steps ya know. It is hard to try to get them to hold the paper just right to cut a straight line or cut out a shape or something. But it is amazing how quickly they catch on once their hands are big enough and strong enough to hold them and have control over the scissors.

ETA: I just remembered you were asking about preschool readiness in general. As pp's mentioned, I dont think most of them have any 'required' abilities before they can start. They will teach them everything they need to know.

 

QUOTE(Tivanni @ Jun 19 2009, 01:33 PM) [snapback]1360589[/snapback]
Anyway, our activities have been the inspiration for my site Teaching Tiny Tots. You might find a couple activities there. I am still developing the younger toddler section so I'll be adding a lot more activities.

Good Luck!
Sharon


Sharon your site is great. Do you have a pre-k/ k section? or if not a recommendation for a good K activity site?

 

Thanks ladies. :give_rose: I just get worried from time to time.