Language and Word Skills

Children entering kindergarten should be able to listen to stories and have conversations. They should be able to recognize their name, interact with stories, re-tell stories, and make guesses using pictures. Furthermore they should be able to hold a pencil, write their names, and express themselves using pictures.

General Language Skills Checklist

• Listen and understand stories, conversations, and directions

• Start conversations

• Ask and respond to questions

• Recognize rhyming words

• Use a growing vocabulary

• Recognize and name some letters of the alphabet, especially those in their own name

• Guess what will happen next in a story using pictures as a guide

• Begin to show an interest and understanding in written language by asking "What does that say?"

• Use scribbles, shapes, and pictures to represent thoughts or ideas

• Begin to copy or write their own name

Language and Word Skill-Builders

"I need to be familiar with words and books."

• Teach me new words.

• Show me words and symbols in my language and the sounds they make.

• Read to me, take me to the library, and bring me books and magazines.

• Sing songs and teach me rhymes.

• Write down my words or stories as I tell you.