question about pre-k

Hi Cujocece,
 
My son is in kindergarten and the kids in his class came to school this year with a really broad skill set.  Some knew all their colors, shapes, letters and numbers and were really ready to start reading.  Others are still working on mastering those basics.  I'm sure wherever your daughter is will be fine.  Also remember that the start of kindergarten is still about seven months away.  You'll be surprised how much she learns in that time!
 
I think the most important thing is that you not push her too hard.  You don't want her to have any anxiety about learning or starting school.  Just keep reading to her, singing the alphabet song, and maybe playing some games to help her recognize more letters.
 
Hope this helps!

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I would be a little concerned. Every state has different guidelines for what your child should know before Kindergarten. In my state, my son was required to know his full name, how to spell it, address, phone number etc. But he was also required to know his ABCs and be able to recognize all the letters (capital and lowercase) and the sounds they make. They are doing a lot more in Kindergarten now, for example when I first got a report card there was a section for a geometry grade, in Kindergarten! I was shocked. He is now in first grade and they started Spanish already at the beginning of the year.
My youngest is in preschool, he is three and he recognizes all his letters and shapes and everything I knew he would need. It's much easier when you have an older child so you know what is to be expected.
You do have all summer to work with her and I think if you make a dedicated effort she will be ready when school starts. I taught both my boys their letters and even reading using www.starfall.com. This is a wonderful site for learning because the kids think they are playing a game and it was only a weeks after I started my youngest son on this website that he had learned the entire alphabet and almost all of the sounds the letters made!

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Hi cujocece, kindergarten classrooms vary a great deal, and  the capabilities, personalities, and backgrounds of the children in any one classroom will most likely vary a great deal as well. I would not be overly concerned about your daughter not being able to recognize her letters at this point. I would recommend trying to get her to notice letters and words during her everyday living experiences and using fun activities/games to help her identify her letters instead of worksheets and/or flash cards.
 
Kelly Bost, PhD
Expert Panelist

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