Kindergarten skills? (5 year olds)

My son is starting Kindergarten this coming school year and I am wondering where he is skill-wise compared to other children. I want to make sure I am teaching him the things I should be before he starts school, and wondering what I should work on.

My son turned 5 in January.

-He can count to 20, but sometimes messes up on "14, 15, 16" and does them out of order. He recognized his numbers on flash cards/when written 1-10 and can write them when asked. Example, if you say "draw me a number 5" he will do so. Sometimes, however his numbers are backwards... like mirror images.

-He knows all of his shapes and colors and can draw his shapes when asked.

-He can say his alphabet and recognizes all but 4 letters on flash cards/when written. He can write all but 6 letters of the alphabet when asked.

-He recognizes his name when he sees it, and also knows how to write it himself.


***Also, what is the "screening" that they do before placement? What are they looking for, and for what purpose?

They require far less than that here, but I'm in Canada lol

My 5 yr old niece is in pre-k , she can count to 100, write her first and last name, can write the alphabet/numbers.. Knows all her colors and shapes

Quoting [yo.]:" My 5 yr old niece is in pre-k , she can count to 100, write her first and last name, can write the alphabet/numbers.. Knows all her colors and shapes"

Damn.

Quoting Rd.:" They require far less than that here, but I'm in Canada lol"

My son didn't even have to do a test to start school. He is in JK and they just threw him in there.


I regret it though. He is only 4 and has been having such a hard time at school emotionally.


He tells me everyday he doesn't want to go back to school and that he hates the world......and he is only 4.

Sounds to me like he is ready. My son is in kindergarten now and went in knowing just about as much as your son does. Mine could sight read books and write and recognize some letters. He could write his name as well as recognize it. He could complete simple patterns. Oh and he could tie his shoes. My son had a very hard time sitting down and learning with me but once he got into school he has blossomed!

Quoting Mitchell.family.of.5:" Sounds to me like he is ready. My son is in kindergarten now and went in knowing just about as much as ... [snip!] ... tie his shoes. My son had a very hard time sitting down and learning with me but once he got into school he has blossomed!"

My son still wears velcro shoes, so that's something we'd have to work on. He can copy patterns, and does well with games like memory.
He can not sight read... I don't think. I mean, he recognizes words like MOM, DAD, BABY, CAT, DOG... ??

I don't know how he will do sitting down in a class. He has never been in a classroom setting. There isn't a local preschool here so he's been in a regular daycare. Is it a lot of sitting at a desk in Kindergarten or do they work them up to it?

Cora will be 5 in april

She can count to 100
lace up shoes (but not tie them)
Cut out a square, circle, and a triangle
Write her first and last name, my name, her dads name
Knows her address and telephone number
Is reading basic small words


um... I know there is more LOL.

Sounds like a great start and you've still got 6 months! They also do goofy stuff like have them stand on 1 leg at the screening. Don't stress it at all.

Quoting [yo.]:" My 5 yr old niece is in pre-k , she can count to 100, write her first and last name, can write the alphabet/numbers.. Knows all her colors and shapes"

Looks like you have yourself a little smarty pants over there!  

OP, I think your son sounds pretty normal for his age. He shouldn't have much trouble getting in.  

Quoting Mrs.Mud:" Sounds like a great start and you've still got 6 months! They also do goofy stuff like have them stand on 1 leg at the screening. Don't stress it at all."

Haha, that's weird. Motor skills they are testing? I think he's got those down on a normal level. He can stand on one foot, hop on one foot, walk heel to toe, walk backwards, jump with two feet, skip... Idk what else they'd be wondering about.

Quoting Kelly&Coralie:" Cora will be 5 in april She can count to 100 lace up shoes (but not tie them) Cut out a square, ... [snip!] ... name, her dads name Knows her address and telephone number Is reading basic small words um... I know there is more LOL."

He loves to cut and paste. He cuts out shapes and even makes things like cuts out people, snowflakes, baskets (for easter, he says)...

We have not worked on writing his last name though. Should I start him doing that now before school? He's been practicing remembering all of his letters. He has a few that he doesn't know how to write/remember... so he's been working on that, and I don't want to overwhelm him but if he needs to know how to write his last name I wonder if I should have him to that first? He copies my name, DH, and siblings names all of the time. He has me write them and he copies them, but he has yet to remember how to write them.

He does not know his address/phone number. We talk about it often but he can't seem to remember it.

Quoting MunchkinWrangler:" My son still wears velcro shoes, so that's something we'd have to work on. He can copy patterns, and ... [snip!] ... here so he's been in a regular daycare. Is it a lot of sitting at a desk in Kindergarten or do they work them up to it?"

My son's teacher does not have them in one place for long. They are doing one thing for 30 minutes or so and then they are moved to another "center". They go between computers, laugauge arts circle time, math circle time, math table work, lunch, story time, flex (gym, art, music, library), snack, outside play, rest time. So they are always busy, but always working. I was also worried about my son having to sit for long times since he was never in a daycare or preschool environment. I am very pleased with this teacher and how she runs her class room.

She'll be fine, they also like it if they can dress themselves for outdoor time.

Quoting MunchkinWrangler:" He loves to cut and paste. He cuts out shapes and even makes things like cuts out people, snowflakes, ... [snip!] ... how to write them. He does not know his address/phone number. We talk about it often but he can't seem to remember it."

They have preschool work books that have kids trace letters and such. That was a big help with Cora

But honestly, he sounds on track

Just play to his strengths. Let him lead the learning for right now. Incorporate things he loves