Family Resources

We believe in helping our families be stronger, healthier, and more involved in their children's lives. Below, we'll attempt to give you some resources to use in that effort. Please check back often for new resources.

Kindergarten Registration Dates & Times for the 2008-2009 School Year

Guidelines for Kindergarten Readiness

This is excerpted from our "Ready, Set, Go" Calendar for Kindergarten Readiness. If you would like a free copy of this 12-month calendar, please call us at 814 238-0331.

Know Where You Are - Evaluation of Present Skills

The first years of your child’s life are full of growing, learning, and changing. As parents, you will watch, guide, and problem-solve with your child through each new experience and developmental stage. Below, you will find some key benchmarks for your 4-year old. Use them as a general checklist of what your child should be doing. But trust your own instincts. Children learn at different rates and in different ways. Be sure to check with your doctor if you have concerns.

At age 4-5 years, your child will ask many questions…enjoys and takes pride in planning and making decisions with the family…likes to tell and make up stories…enjoys creating with colors, paint, paper, glue and scissors.

Child reading.

Other skills to look for:

  • Walks and runs well, maintains balance; begins to skip and hop
  • Dresses completely (zips and buttons, laces shoes)
  • Serves him/herself at the table; uses a fork and spoon
  • Washes face and hands without help
  • Plays games with other children and agrees to, and obeys, rules
  • Prefers to play in a group of 2-3 children
  • Begins to understand time, such as "yesterday", "next year", etc.
  • Can recall facts and tell what is missing from a familiar set of objects
  • Uses full sentences
  • Knows name and address
  • Can carry out a series of three commands (find the book, move the bike, close the door)
  • Matches and names colors, circle/square/triangle
  • Asks about letters, numbers, and words and is interested in the meanings
  • Says numbers 1-10, understands simple concepts of math

When to get a professional opinion:

  • If you notice your child has difficulty climbing stairs, catching a large ball, pedaling a tricycle and avoids using swings or slides at the playground.
  • If your child usually avoids interactions with others, prefers to play alone, or has difficulty learning or following routines.
  • If your child seems not to hear well or doesn’t seem to understand what is being said, have his/her hearing checked.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s development, please contact Centre County Early Intervention (birth-3 years) at 814-355-6786 or Central Intermediate Unit (3 years and up) at 800-982-3375.

Guidelines for Kindergarten Readiness

The following list can be helpful in evaluating your child’s level of development and readiness for school. Remember, though, that this list is simply a guideline. Obviously, it is not reasonable to expect a child to be perfect or to show all of these signs of readiness all of the time. Children who exhibit these qualities, however, are more likely to learn without undue stress and are also more likely to develop a love for learning. Children who do not match the signs of readiness for their grade level may need extra time to grow and develop.

  1. Growing Up
    • Is able to sit still and stay on task for a reasonable period of time.
    • Tells how old he/she is.
    • Takes care of own needs such as toileting, washing hands, dressing (buttons/zippers), tying his/her own shoes.
    • Adjusts to new situations without parents being there.
    • Cooperates with other children.
    • Runs, jumps, hops, throws, catches and bounces a ball.
    • Rides a tricycle.
    • Uses pencils, crayons and markers for drawing and writing; cuts with scissors.
  2. Health and Safety
    • Has a set routine and schedule for preparing for bed, personal hygiene and eating meals.
    • Uses good habits; for example, uses a spoon to eat, closed mouth when chewing, covers nose and mouth to sneeze, and washes hands after using the toilet and before eating.
    • Follows simple safety rules.
    • Visits the doctor and dentist regularly.
    • Tells first and last name.
    • Knows his or her full address and telephone number.
    • Begins to know left from right hands.
  3. Books
    • Holds and looks at books correctly; for example, holds the book right side up and turns the pages one at a time from front to back.
    • Re-tells a simple story after listening to it while looking at the pictures in the book.
    • Makes simple predictions and comments about a story being read.
  4. Speaking
    • Speaks in complete sentences.
    • Follows directions with at least two steps.
    • Asks questions about how things work.
    • Says and/or sings familiar songs and nursery rhymes.
  5. Letters and Words
    • Recognizes words or signs he/she sees often; for example, McDonalds, Wal-Mart, or stop signs and exit signs.
    • Recognizes his/her own first name in print and the letters that make up his/her name.
    • Understands words such as "top" and "bottom", and "big" and "little".
    • Begins to write some of the letters in his/her own name.
    • Recognizes and names at least ten letters of the alphabet.
    • Matches a letter with the beginning sound of a word; for example, matches "b" with a picture of a banana.
    • Recognizes rhyming words such as "cat" and "hat".
  6. Numbers and Shapes
    • Recognizes and names three shapes; circle, square, and triangle.
    • Counts from 1 to 10 in correct order.
    • Counts at least five objects such as five bananas and five cookies.
    • Sees the numeral 3 and understands what it means; can demonstrate the meaning of three objects.
    • Puts written numerals in order from 1 to 5.
    • Is able to add and subtract familiar objects such as raisins.
    • Understands the concept of "more or less".
  7. Same, Different, and Patterns
    • Matches two pictures that are alike.
    • Tells things that go together; for example, a spoon and fork are for eating, and a fish and a boat go in the water.
    • Looks at groups of objects and says which are the same shape, color, or size.
    • Repeats a pattern you start; for example, step, step, jump – step, step, jump.
    • Puts three pictures in order; for example, 1. planting seeds, 2. plants grow, 3. pick flower.
  8. Other Skills
    • Puts puzzles together.
    • Recognizes and names at least five colors.
    • Draws a line, circle, x, and +.
    • Expresses ideas through pictures he/she draws; for example, a child draws a picture of three family members and says who each one is.

Remember that play is an important part of learning. Your child learns best when he or she is spending time with you and doing activities which are developmentally appropriate.