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