Kindergarten Skills The kindergarten year is a very important year for children. It is a year in which children are expected to accomplish many different academic skills. When entering kindergarten, many children have typically accomplished most of the following skills, the explicit skills identified as being foundational for early reading success. Begins to track print when listening to a familiar text being read or when re-reading their own writing by following along with his finger. "Reads" familiar texts and "recognizes" words in a book and is able to retell familiar stories. Recognizes and can name all upper case and lower case letters. Understands that sequences of letters in a written word represent the sequence of sounds that occur in a spoken word. Learns many one to one sound letter correspondences. Recognizes some words by sight including a few very common ones. Utilizes expanded speaking vocabulary and grammatical sentence constructions in speech Understands how to use different language in sentences when writing or speaking. Correctly answers questions about stories that are read aloud. Is able to notice when simple sentences fail to make sense. Connects information and events in text to life experiences. This means your child can look at a picture in a book and understand that it may relate to something familiar in real life. Is able to retell, reenact and dramatize stories or parts of stories. Listens attentively for more than 5 minutes to books the teacher reads to the class. Can name some book titles and authors. Demonstrates familiarity with a number of different types of stories, , poems and everyday print such as signs, notices or labels. Can make predictions based on illustrations or portions of stories heard. Demonstrates understanding that spoken words consist of a sequence of sounds. When given spoken word groups such as "Dan, Dan, Den," can identify the first two as the same and the third is different. Given spoken words such as "Dak, Pat, Zen," can identify the first two as sharing a same sound. Given spoken segments, can re-blend them into a meaningful target word (f-is-h â†' fish). When given a spoken word can produce another word that rhymes with it. Independently writes many upper case and lower case letters. Uses sound awareness and letter knowledge to spell independently (inventive or creative spelling). Pretends to write to express his own meaning. Builds a repertoire of some conventionally spelled words. Shows awareness of a distinction between "kid writing" and conventional orthography/writing. Writes own name (first and last) and the first name of some friends or classmates. Can write most letters and some words when they are dictated. This is an impressive list of skills anticipated for kindergarten children. Of the 28 skills listed above, most are directly related to a child's early speech and language skill development. As your child progresses in communication skill development, the speech-language pathologist working with you will provide more information about how to best improve your child's early reading and language learning skills.