This information was provided to us by Vicki Kielsmeier, a Kindergarten teacher for Weber School District and an Early Childhood Specialist, and mother of boy/girl twins.

Entrance age and Requirements

In compliance with the Utah State Code 53-a-3-402(5) any student whose fifth birthday falls on or before September 1 may enter Kindergarten at the opening of school in the same year.  A birth certificate is required as proof of age.

Utah State Code 53A-11-302 states a student may not enter school without a certificate of immunization.

Readiness

All children may enter school at age 5, but they should be mature enough to attend to an activity fro a certain amount of time, have some basic skills in language, listening, social behavior, and have a variety of background experiences.  There is a definite difference in maturity between those who turn six the first month of school and those who won't be six until the end of the school year.

Readiness Checklist

• Child can usually inhibit body movements and keeps hands to himself/herself while in line.

• Child usually sits quietly while listening to a short story.

• Child is learning to respect other students.

• Child participates in clean-up activities.

• Child verbalizes or tries to verbalize his/her frustrations and problems rather than physically acting out.

• Child is able to work in small groups.

• Child attempts to complete a teacher assigned task.

• Child chooses a free choice activity and maintains his/her involvement in this activity.

Self Help Skills

• Child uses appropriate bathroom skills (flush toilet, wash hands, dress self, etc.)

• Child can dress self.

• Child is learning to take responsibility for own belongings.

• Child recognizes when a problem exists.

• Child avoids dangers and responds to warning words.

• Child tries strategies to solve problems.

• Child feeds self independently

Language and Listening

• Child can verbalize his/her first and last name.

• Child can complete a two-step simple direction.

• Child can share an idea, experience, or description.

• Child has heard a variety of stories and had participated in follow-up discussions.

• Child practices accepted patterns of speech (irregular verbs, however, are still emerging)

• Child can engage in a socially appropriate conversation.

• Child can participate in informal creative dramatics (play house, puppets, role play, et.)

Math Skills

• Child can count 1 to 6

• Child can demonstrate 1 to 1 correspondence with concrete objects up to his/her age.

• Child has had experiences with identifying two objects in terms of large/small, tall/short, long/short, more/less.

Large Skill Muscle

• Child can identify general body parts

• Child has had experience with log rolls, jumping, standing on one foot, galloping, skipping, hopping, and swinging.

• Child has had experience throwing and catching balls.

• Child has had experience in block building.

• Child has had experience in painting at an easel.

Small Muscle Skills

• Child has been encouraged and tries to grip crayon correctly

• Child has had frequent experiences cutting with scissors and holding scissors correctly.

• Child has had experience playing with clay.

• Child has had experience playing with puzzles.

Social Behaviors and Classroom Conduct

• Understands role as part of group.

• Respects others and their property.

• Expresses emotions and affections appropriately.

• Is willing to try something new.

• Sits appropriately.

• Plays independently.

• Finds materials needed for tasks.

• Does not disrupt peers during activities.

• Follows task directions in small and large group.

Other

• Can identify and name 8 basic colors.

• Has had experience singing the alphabet song.

• Has had tactile experience with water, sand, clay, rice, finger painting, etc.