How fast children grow up. It seems like just yesterday they were tiny bundles coming home from the hospital, and suddenly it’s already time to think about kindergarten.

Any child who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30, 2008 is able to start kindergarten this year. But often if a child’s birthday is in summer or early fall, so that the child is “just barely” 5, parents consider waiting a year before starting their child in kindergarten. Even if the birthday is earlier, parents often still consider waiting an additional year if they think their child isn’t ready yet.

But how does a parent decide whether their child is ready? Experts offer various concepts depending on the child’s age and developmental growth. Friends, neighbors and families all have their own opinions, which may not always be helpful in making a decision. Parents will hear “rules” like “never send a summer-birthday, 5-year-old boy to kindergarten.” As the principal here at the Kindergarten Center, I can tell you that a rule like that is often completely wrong for a particular child.

Being ready for kindergarten involves physical, social and emotional development. Parents know their child better than anyone. The staff here at the Kindergarten Center offers the following questions as a way to help decide if your child should start kindergarten this year. There are no right or wrong answers…children all grow and develop on their own schedule.

Does your child ask for help from adults/others?
Does your child handle new situations without being upset?
Can your child separate from parents easily?
Does your child want to attend school?
Does your child finish work he starts, or move on quickly to other things before finishing?
Does your child sit quietly?
Does your child listen to stories?
Does your child follow adult requests?
Does your child adapt to change well?
Can he understand the feelings of others?
Can she express her own feelings?
Does he share and take turns?
Does your child participate in group activities easily?
Does your child dress herself?
Can your child take care of his bathroom needs?
Can your child rhyme?
Can your child draw a picture?
Can your child count to five?
Does your child use crayons or markers?

If you decide that your child is ready to begin this learning journey, then it is time to register for school. You may do that, even as early as now, at the New Student Welcome Center, which is in our central operations building at 211 Donald Drive in Fairfield. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. (In July, though, it registers new students by appointment only.) Or you can register right at the Kindergarten Center on April 3 or April 23. On those two dates the school will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. for registration and to allow families to look all around the school.

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone for your child. We hope you will celebrate it with him or her as they take these very different “first steps.”

Susan Lindberg is the principal of the Fairfield Kindergarten Center. She can be reached at lindberg_s@fairfieldcityschools.com.

Published in the Fairfield Echo, April 3, 2008