What are Pre-K Skills?

Pre-Kindergarten Skills.

• Language Arts/Early Literacy .
  • Understands and responds to simple oral directions.
  • Talks and listens appropriately while in a group.
  • Expresses ideas in complete sentences.
  • Recognizes his/her name in print.
  • Names six basic colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, brown).
  • Identifies some printed alphabet letters.
  • Prints and identifies letters in first name.
  • Recognizes some sounds that rhyme.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of print: left to right top to bottom. 
  • Arranges story cards in sequential order.
  • Begins to dictate sentences, phrases, and words.
    
    
• Mathematics.
  • Identifies basic geometric shapes (circle, triangle, square). 
  • Recognizes numerals (0,1,2,3,4,5).
  • Matches numerals to quantities 0-5.
  • Recognizes and reproduces simple patterns of concrete objects.
  • Participates in simple graphing activities.
  • Counts from 1-10 or higher.
  • Puts together a 10-12 piece puzzle.
    
    
• Science.
  • Exploration by manipulating materials with simple equipment.
  • Demonstrates awareness of seasonal changes and weather conditions.
  • Identifies animals and plants as living things.
    
    
• Social Skills.
  • Separates from parents without undue stress.
  • Demonstrates awareness of the five senses.
  • Takes care of personal needs.
  • Plays cooperatively/interacts with children without constant supervision.
  • Understands and respects the property and rights of others.
  • Knows and observes classroom rules/routines.
  • Works on an activity for a reasonable length of time (10-15 minutes).
  • Contributes to the classroom community and participates in classroom jobs.
  • Participates in large and small group activities.
  • Displays a positive attitude toward school.
    
    
• Gross Motor Skills.
  • Bounces a large ball and catches it.
  • Throws and catches a large ball with two hands.
  • Climbs confidently on climbing apparatus.
  • Moves easily from one space to another (e.g., running, jumping, hopping). 
    
    
• Fine Motor Skills.
  • Grasps small objects with thumb and forefinger.
  • Manipulates scissors correctly.
  • Practices self-help skills (buttoning, zipping).
    
    
• Fine Arts.
  • Explores with a variety of art work (e.g., markers, clay, paint, water colors, crayons).
  • Uses art as a form of self-expression.
    
    
• Music.
  • Participates in classroom music activities.
  • Responds to various music tempos through movement exploration.
    
    
• Dramatic Play.
  • Creates or recreates stories and experiences.
  • Engages in dramatic play with others.

Children learn best….

• Current research concludes that young children learn best:
• When they feel comfortable and secure..
• Through active manipulation of objects..
• When provided with experiences which involve the greatest number of senses..
• Through repeated and varied experiences..
• Those things which are important to them at the moment..
• When activities are carefully and developmentally sequenced..
• When they experience individualized instruction, rather than being required to move as a group from one learning objective to the next..
• When curriculum addresses all aspects of children's development..
• When their progress is systematically assessed, strengths are built on and weaknesses prescribed for..
• When their parents are significantly involved in the educational process..

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