Kindergarten Milestones

How do I know if my child is ready for Kindergarten?

Check out the Kindergarten age developmental Milestones below to see what your child should be doing by 4 and 5 years old.

Social/Emotional

4 Years Old
  • Behavior is easily redirected
  • Enjoys doing new things
  • Plays “mom” and “dad”
  • Is more and more creative with make-believe play
  • Would rather play with other children than by him or herself
  • Cooperates with other children
  • Often can’t tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
  • Talks about what he/she likes and what he/she is interested in
5 Years Old
  • Wants to please friends
  • Wants to be like friends
  • More likely to agree with the rules
  • Likes to sing, dance, and act
  • Can tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
  • Shows more independence

Language/Communication

4 Years Old
  • Correctly uses pronouns “he” and “she”
  • Sings songs or says a poem from memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or the “wheels on the Bus”
  • Tells stories
  • Can say first and last name
5 Years Old
  • Clearly understood by others
  • Tells a simple story using full sentences
  • Uses future tense; for example “Grandma will be here”.
  • Says name and address

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)/Literacy Skills

4 Years Old
  • Able to print first name
  • Able to print last name
  • Knows letter sounds
  • Identifies rhyming words (i.e. cat/hat)
  • Names some colors and numbers
  • Understands the idea of counting
  • Remembers part of a story
  • Plays board games
  • Tells you what he/she thinks is going to happen next in a book
5 Years Old
  • Counts 10 or more things
  • Can draw a person with at least 6 body parts
  • Can print some letters and numbers
  • Knows about things used daily (i.e. money, food).

Fine Motor/Self Help Skills

4 Years Old
  • Copies a horizontal line and circle
  • Can put on/ take off coat
  • Puts shoes on the correct feet
  • Brushes own teeth
  • Fastens large buttons
  • Cuts a piece of paper in half with scissors
  • Uses restroom independently
  • Zips most zippers
5 Years Old
  • Colors between the lines
  • Cut basic and complex shapes on the line without deviations
  • Completes simple dot-to-dot pictures
  • Copies color/shape sequences
  • Draws triangle and x
  • Imitates writing first name
  • Draw a human figure with at least 8 parts
  • Dresses self with correct orientation
  • Ties shoes independently
  • Completes fasteners on self
  • Puts belts through loops
  • Bathes self with help
  • Brushes teeth with follow up from parent

Movement/Physical Development

4 Years Old
  • Hops and stands on one foot up to 2 seconds
  • Catches a bounced ball most of the time
  • Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
5 Years Old
  • Skips using opposing arms and legs for at least 10 feet while maintaining balance
  • Roller skates
  • Bounces and catches small ball
  • Kicks ball at least 12 feet
  • Rides bike with training wheels
  • Stands on either foot with eyes closed for at least 5 seconds, eyes open for at least 10 seconds.
  • Dribbles a ball walking forward
  • Jumps forward 36 feet.

Concerned about your child’s development?

ACT EARLY- Reach out to us at SPGCT if your child:

  • Doesn’t show a wide range of emotions
  • Shows extreme behavior (unusually fearful, aggressive, shy or sad)
  • Unusually withdrawn and not active
  • Is easily distracted, has trouble focusing on one activity for more than 5 minutes.
  • Doesn’t respond to other people
  • Can’t tell what’s real and what’s make believe
  • Doesn’t play a variety of games and activities
  • Can’t give first and last name
  • Doesn’t use plurals or past tense
  • Doesn’t talk about daily activities or experiences
  • Doesn’t draw pictures
  • Can’t brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed without help
  • Loses skills he/she once had.

Kind Words

We create relationships and are grateful to our many parents, agencies, and school counselors for their support throughout the years.

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“I appreciate all of your, and your staffs’, efforts over the past several months.  I have received a number of very positive remarks from my colleagues regarding the quality of everyone’s work.”

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“ We switched from a large practice to SPGCT because I felt my child was lost in the mix. Rachel is on top of insurance claims and sends frequent emails to stay connected.”

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“If there has ever been a parental, administrative or teacher concern – the ladies have jumped in immediately to help. It is evident these SLP’s have worked in our school systems for years.”

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“I have been a contractor for many years - but this is the first time I have worked for a practice that is run by a fellow SLP - and what a difference it makes! Rachel truly understands our needs and our worth.”

 

 

For More Information

Call (475) 239-5512

Or fill out the form below. We will be in touch within 24 hours.