Milestones to Reach Before Kindergarten
Parents often hear the term “milestone,” but it can bring anxiety. We aim to discuss milestones with care, respecting each child’s unique development. Milestones reflect social, cognitive, physical, and academic growth. They offer insight into progress, but they are not strict guidelines. Every child grows at their own pace. Missing a milestone at a specific age shouldn’t cause alarm. It’s still helpful to talk with your child’s preschool or daycare provider about their development.
At STEM Child Care, our directors and staff are experts in child development. We’ve created a STEM-focused curriculum, learning environments, and schedules to help every child thrive. Before kindergarten, most children reach key milestones in language comprehension, print awareness, and fine motor skills.
LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION:
By Kindergarten, children should be able to both respond to and ask questions. While toddlers often ask “Why?” repeatedly, some children need more guidance when answering questions. For example, they may need help responding to prompts like, “Do you have any questions about ____?” Children in this age group should also speak clearly. However, many preschoolers may struggle with certain sounds or letters. If this happens with your child, speak to their pediatrician about potential language interventions.
Why is language comprehension important? In classrooms, teachers assess comprehension largely through verbal communication. This is especially true for younger children, who are still developing written language skills. If your child cannot express their understanding, teachers may struggle to meet their academic needs.
PRINT AWARENESS:
Children don’t need to master the entire alphabet by Kindergarten. However, they should recognize some letters. Print awareness includes knowing how to hold a book and turn pages. Preschoolers should also understand that reading goes from left to right. Even if your child isn’t reading yet, they’re developing key skills. These skills are stepping stones to reading comprehension. Encouraging print awareness early is crucial. Read to your children regularly and introduce literacy skills from a young age.
FINE MOTOR SKILLS:
Fine motor skills can be challenging to develop but are crucial for Kindergarten readiness. By Kindergarten, children should hold a pencil or crayon and make marks on paper. Activities like pouring water, using safety scissors, fastening Velcro shoes, and painting with a brush support fine motor skill growth.
Why Fine Motor Skills Are Important: Fine motor development is a significant area for consideration, given that motor skills and control are extremely useful in life for accomplishing different tasks, activities, and jobs. By reinforcing these skills in preschool, we can teach children the necessary skills needed for success in many aspects of life.