 As researchers learn more about early childhood education, more attention is being paid to early literacy. Early childhood professionals have recognized for a long time the importance of language and literacy in preparing children to succeed in school. Early literacy and early learning experiences are linked to academic success, higher graduation rates, and better productivity in adult life.
Every child grows, develops, and learns at a different rate. Your child may already be successful with some skills and may need more time to develop others. The key is to give your child plenty of opportunities to practice and learn these skills by interacting naturally with family and friends.
The following skill areas are based on the Utah Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines. Review these skill areas, observe your child, and identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. The more competent your child is in these five skill areas, the better prepared for schools they will be.
Skill Areas
Self-Help Skills
- Eats independently.
- Uses restroom independently.
- Washes hands after using the restroom.
- Removes outerwear independently.
- Asks questions and seeks out adult help when necessary.
- Knows how to care for and use books.
- Cleans up after self.
Social/Emotional Skills
- Tries new things.
- Takes turns.
- Shares materials.
- Listens while others talk.
- Shows concern for others.
- Plays cooperatively with other children.
- Works well independently or in small groups.
- Separates from parent without undue anxiety.
- Knows parent or guardian's first and last name.
- Knows own first and last name and can tell an adult.
Large Motor Skills
- Hops, jumps, and runs.
- Bounces, catches, kicks, and throws balls.
- Walks in a straight line forward and backward.
- Balances on dominant foot for five seconds.
- Participates in simple games.
- Small Motor Skills
- Holds writing instruments correctly.
- Holds scissors correctly.
- Uses scissors to cut straight or curved lines.
- Turns a single page in a book.
- Puts together simple puzzles.
Math Skills
- Counts to ten.
- Creates groups of up to five objects.
- Places like items together (e.g., red cars and blue cars).
- Plays with, identifies, and names the shapes (e.g., circle, triangle, and rectangle).
- Uses comparative words (e.g., heavier, shorter, less, taller, bigger).
Language and Literacy
- Listens attentively and responds to stories and books.
- Speaks in complete sentences.
- Speaks clearly enough to be understood by unfamiliar adults.
- Has a vocabulary that includes words to name colors, parts of the body, and positional words (e.g., in/out, to/from, around, upside down).
- Expresses feelings and ideas.
- Knows poems and songs.
- Identifies signs, symbols, or logos in the environment.
- Identifies 10 or more letters of the alphabet, especially those in own name.
- Writes using drawings and made-up or real letters.
| 
