Question About What a Child Should Know Before Entering Kindergarten - Pinellas

Here is Hillsborough county schools' run down of what to expect and how to prepare- there's a list of where they should be on the transitioning to kindergarten page. :)

http://elementaryweb.mysdhc.org/kindergarten/

READING READINESS
1. Remembers pictures from a printed page
2. Repeats a 6-8 word sentence
3. Pretends to read (has been read to often)
4. Identifies own first name in writing
5. Attempts to print own first name
6. Answers questions about a short story
7. Looks at pictures and tells a story
8. Understands words are read left to right
9. Familiar with the letters of the alphabet
10. Knows some nursery rhymes
11. Knows the meaning of simple words

TIME
1. Understands day and night
2. Knows age and birthday

RECOGNIZES COLORS AND SHAPES
1. Recognizes primary colors
2. Recognizes Triangles, Circles, Squares and Rectangles
3. NUMBERS
4. Counts to ten
5. Can count objects

LISTENING AND SEQENCING
1. Follows simple directions
2. Pays attention
3. Recognizes common sounds
4. Retells a simple story in sequence
5. Repeats a sequence of sounds
6. Repeats a sequence of numbers heard

SIZE, POSITION & DIRECTION
1. My child knows: big and little
2. Long and short
3. Up and down
4. In and but
5. Front and back
6. Over and under
7. Hot and cold
8. Empty and full
9. More and less
10. Fast and Slow
11. Top and Bottom

MOTOR SKILLS
1. Run
2. Walk a straight line
3. Jump
4. Hop
5. Alternates feet walking downstairs
6. March
7. Stand on one foot 10 seconds
8. Walk backwards for 5 feet
9. Throw a ball
10. Paste pictures on paper
11. Clap hands
12. Button clothes
13. Build with blocks
14. Complete simple 5 piece puzzle or less
15. Draw or color beyond a simple scribble
16. Zip clothes
17. Control pencil and crayon well
18. Handle scissors
19. Cut and draw simple shapes

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL
1. Expresses self verbally
2. Looks forward to going to school
3. Recognizes authority
4. Shares with others
5. Helps with family chores
6. Identifies other children by name
7. Can take care of toilet needs independently
8. Cares for own belongings
9. Dresses self
10. Brushes teeth
11. Can be away from parents 2-3 hours
12. Joins in family conversation
13. Carries a plate of food
14. Maintains self-control
15. Gets along with others
16. Talks easily
17. Meets visitors without shyness
18. Puts toys away

MY CHILD KNOWS…
1. Body parts
2. Own first name
3. Own last name
4. Parent's names
5. Home address
6. Home phone number
7. When to use a handkerchief
8. Own sex

The word kindergarten means 'garden for children' in German where the idea began. It has now become so much more and definitely, not a garden. People are so confused about what do children need to now and by when before it messes up their whole lives. The truth behind the research is this: Children's bodies are meant to start being in a group setting on a day-to-day basis with the same people starting at about the age of 5. That is why K starts then. Their immune systems are then developed enough. At that point, their frontal lobes are still maturing and the most important thing is to feel loved, safe, competent and challenged with fun, new things. Kindergarten should be about 'getting ready' not 'doing'.
As an educational consultant who speaks on this topic frequently, the best thing to do to be ready for K is to read to your child and have them recognize letters, their name, some words and be able to use drawing utensils. IF they can start making letters - great! If not, that's fine.
They should know colors, shapes but it shouldn't be a "You're starting K. Let's make sure you know this." And, they should have had experiences bouncing, jumping, hopping, skipping, although most canNOT hop or skip until 5 or 6. And, remember. Boys and girls are different.
Enjoy your child and they'll enjoy life.
Hope this is helpful!

It's not required, but certainly recommended. Your child will definitely have an easier time in class if the basics have been introduced (numbers 1-10, the alphabet, colors, basic shapes). My kids are in 2nd grade now, but 2 years ago they were way ahead of their class because they had been in pre-k & some children were just struggling so hard because they hadn't learned any of it. Your child is a SPONGE right now & will absorb all of this knowledge easily & quickly if you start now! Good luck & have fun with it -

Yes they should know their ABC's and numbers to 10 and colors and shapes etc. However at my son's school the teachers are aware that some students were not in Pre-k coming into K so they do a lot of review as well. Although with the volunteer pre-k we have now that may take some of the pressure off K teachers :)