1. Tom Wilson Elementary Kindergarten Information Night
Spring 2018

2. Exciting New Experiences
Kindergarten marks the beginning of exciting new experiences for your child.
Interacting with new people
New settings and activities
More structure and focus on learning  
Spend time speaking with your child about these new, exciting experiences!

3. What every parent wants to know… ”Is my child ready?”
Personal and Social Readiness
Fine and Gross Motor Readiness
Communication Readiness
Basic Cognitive Readiness

4. Personal & Social Readiness
Uses the bathroom independently
Dresses self and buttons/snaps shirts and pants and zips zipper
Knows own age and birthday
Separates from parents easily
Responds appropriately to adult authority
Pays attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
Demonstrates self-control
Completes tasks willingly
Gets along well and shares with others
Takes turns when playing with friends
Shows an interest in learning and coming to school

5. Fine & Gross Motor Readiness
Uses crayons, scissors and glue correctly
Holds and writes appropriately with a pencil
Traces basic shapes
Can cut various lines
Can put on shoes and coats without help
Throws, catches or bounces a large ball

6. Communication Readiness
Speaks clearly and communicates needs
Uses phrases and complete sentences
Can say his or her full name, address and phone number - including area code
Knows parents’ first and last names
Follows spoken directions and rules
Listens without interrupting

7. Basic Cognitive Readiness
Identifies basic colors
Shows an interest in books and learning to read
Identifies some alphabet letters
Produces some letter sounds
Understands positional words such as up, down, over, under, beside
Begins to write name in print
Colors and “writes” (tries to write letters and numbers)
Identifies some numbers and counts to 20

8. Preparing for the New School Year
Help your child prepare for this exciting school year by:
Making sure he or she is receiving plenty of rest
Meals should be nutritious and unhurried
Encourage your child to be polite and to state feelings
Provide numerous opportunities for experiences with books
Help your child begin practicing writing his or her name correctly

9. A Typical Day in Kindergarten
Calendar/Circle Time
Whole Group Language Arts/Reading
Small Group Guided Reading and Literacy Stations
Writing
Handwriting
Lunch
Recess
Specials (PE, Music or Art daily)
Whole Group Math
Small Group Guided Math and Math Tubs
Snack
Developmental Centers
Science/Social Studies
Library/Computer Lab (once a week)

10. Transportation
Children can walk, ride a bike, take a bus, go to a Daycare, attend YMCA or ride in a car
Teachers supervise children each day during arrival and dismissal
Please try to keep the mode of transportation consistent day to day…Children get stressed and confused when it changes
We have included a School Bus Readiness bookmark to help prepare your children for riding a school bus

11. The First Day of School
Talk about the first day of school in encouraging terms
Answer any questions or address any concerns your child may have
Arrive on time, but not too early
Leave cheerfully ~ Please do not linger
Make sure your child has all of their needed supplies
Keep a positive attitude…If you look forward to the first day of school your child will too

12. Plan to be Active in School
Active involvement in your child’s school will help answer many of your questions and help your child feel better about entering school.  
Join the PTA
Volunteer to help at school
Attend school events, parent conferences, and meetings
Contact your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns

13. How to Show Your Interest
Asking your child about his or her favorite school activities
Reviewing papers and information that come home
Signing up for e-News at the Parent Information Center at katyisd.org
Listening and asking questions about what your child says about school

14. Lisa Terbrock
TWE School Nurse

15. Registration
Thursday, April 19th
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm