Early Indicators for Successful Kindergarteners

Children entering kindergarten demonstrate a variety of learning behaviors. Behaviors that are indicators of kindergarten success include the following:

Oral Language, Reading, Writing

• Says his or her first name
  
• Follows simple instructions
  
• Shares thoughts and opinions
  
• Answers simple questions
  
• Listens to stories read each day
  
• Recites some nursery rhymes
  
• Retells a familiar event or story
  
• Participates in word play
  (kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk)
  
• Identifies colors
  
• Discusses a favorite story
  
• Talks about pictures
  
• Pretends to “read” a book
  
• Identifies some letters in the alphabet
  
• Writes his or her first name
  
• Attempts writing by using scribbling, print-like marks, or strings of letters
  

Mathematics

• Identifies some shapes
  
• Matches objects (socks, shoes, mittens, gloves)
  
• Notices similarities and differences
  
• Sorts and classifies objects
  
• Uses math language (bigger, smaller, tallest, shortest)
  
• Plays counting games
  
• Tries to count to 10
  
• Touches or points at objects when counting
  
• Arranges objects by size from tallest to shortest
  

Social and Emotional

• Makes choices
  
• Takes turns
  
• Uses self-help skills (dressing, toileting, eating)
  
• Shares with others
  
• Uses self-control
  
• Helps with chores at home
  
• Begins to demonstrate independence
  
• Finishes new tasks
  
• Begins to show self-confidence
  
• Tries new things
  
• Expresses thoughts and feelings
  

Physical

• Hops, jumps, gallops, runs, leaps, climbs, balances
  
• Throws and catches a ball
  
• Alternates feet when walking up steps
  
• Buttons and zips
  
• Assembles puzzles
  
• Uses crayons