| It is that time of year again. If you child is already 5 | | | | instructions, noting skills to work on with your child. |
| or will be turning 5 on or before Oct. 1 (date depends | | | | Sometimes children with special needs may be |
| on your state then it is time to start thinking about | | | | flagged at this point. This can be very beneficial as |
| registering your child for kindergarten. There are | | | | the earlier intervention takes place the easier it may |
| several steps involved in the kindergarten registration | | | | be for your child to stay on the same time table as |
| process.If you are unfamiliar with the process then it | | | | peers.The kindergarten screening also allows the |
| is a good idea to call the elementary or primary | | | | school to better match your child with a teacher, |
| school your child will attend for more information. If | | | | class, and program. Each child's kindergarten |
| you are not certain which school your child will attend | | | | experience is unique depending on the level of their |
| then call the school district's main office.While | | | | skills at entry and the rate of their progress after |
| registration is free there are some costs associated | | | | school starts. The activities and work your child |
| with kindergarten registration. Your child will need a | | | | engages in during kindergarten may not be identical |
| current physical (often documented on the state's | | | | to those of all classmates. Many schools break |
| medical exam form) and will need to be current on all | | | | classes up into ability groups or even pull children out |
| vaccinations. Your child will also need a current eye | | | | of class to work with peers of similar ability or |
| exam (often documented on a state eye exam | | | | need.Identifying special needs, problems, or abilities |
| form).Most schools also require a birth certificate and | | | | early on helps the school plan for the coming year. |
| social security number.Some schools require these | | | | Will there be sufficient demand for a gifted program |
| five documents at the time of registration:~ Birth | | | | or a remedial program, are examples of some of the |
| certificate | | | | questions that kindergarten screening helps the |
| ~ Social security card | | | | school answer.While your local school must make a |
| ~ Current immunization record (on state certificate) | | | | place for your child no matter when you register it is |
| ~ Current physical record (on state medical exam | | | | to everyone's benefit if you register as early as |
| form) | | | | possible. The school needs an accurate enrollment |
| ~ Current eye exam (on state eye exam | | | | projection but also needs to make educational plans |
| form)Other schools are more flexible and allow | | | | that can most accurately be made after meeting and |
| registration with only some of the forms as long as | | | | testing your child. In addition, your child benefits from |
| all other information is provided by the time school | | | | early enrollment by allowing you to know what to do |
| starts.Once your child is registered then your child will | | | | to prepare your child for kindergarten. Finally, your |
| be scheduled for a kindergarten screening in most | | | | child is now on a list which will allow the school to |
| school districts. The screening is conducted by one or | | | | contact you regarding open house, information |
| more professional educators.The purpose of the | | | | meetings, and other events.For example, my local |
| kindergarten screening is not to determine whether | | | | school district offers a special program a few weeks |
| or not your child will be admitted to kindergarten but | | | | before school starts that allows some kindergarten |
| rather how your child's unique needs will be met in | | | | students to start school early. The students can |
| the coming school year. This means matching the | | | | become familiar with the school building when it is not |
| right teacher, classroom, and program to your | | | | full (and not so frighteningly loud and busy) and begin |
| child.Most often kindergarten screening looks at six | | | | working on some important skills which may be |
| primary areas: cognitive skills, listening and sequencing | | | | interfering with their ability to succeed.Kindergarten |
| skills, language skills, fine motor skills, gross motor | | | | registration is a simple and necessary process, but it |
| skills, and social/emotional skills.The kindergarten | | | | can be confusing if you don't know what to expect. |
| screening is not the final judgment on your parenting | | | | Knowing what to do before you register, what to |
| skills or your child's school readiness. It is simply the | | | | expect during registration, and what will follow |
| first time (in most cases) that the school district will | | | | registration can help make the process less |
| have to assess your child. Early screening allows the | | | | frustrating and confusing for everyone |
| school to help you prepare your child before school | | | | involved.Deanna Mascle writes articles to help you |
| begins. You may be given a checklist, or other | | | | prepare your child for school and life. |