Q: I am still not sure if my child will be ready to start kindergarten in the fall due to a late summer fifth birthday. Some days I think we are ready and other days I am not sure.

When is it too late to register and how should I decide? How can I prepare my child for either situation?

A: While registration is open year round, registering early assists everyone involved to prepare: school districts can plan an adequate number of classrooms and staff; families can anticipate related adjustments needed. Earlier registration also ensures receiving information about orientations and other school events that help ease the transition to school.

Parents who are not sure if their child’s maturity will indicate readiness after summer’s extra time to learn and grow are advised to register early. It is possible to withdraw the child before school starts if a parent becomes certain that it is not the right time.

Preparing future kindergarten learners starts early, and parents can refer to this event in the future without specifying an exact age or date. Not all children begin at age 5, for a variety of reasons. As their children’s first and most important teachers, parents know their children the best and should make the ultimate decisions.

Children arrive at school with a range of abilities and experiences. Your child is showing signs of kindergarten readiness when she:

•keeps her hands to herself while in line and during circle time.

•sits quietly while attending a short story.

•participates in cleanup activities.

•uses appropriate bathroom skills.

•dresses herself.

•says her first and last name and is able to identify them when she sees them written out.

•completes a two-step direction.

•engages in socially appropriate conversation.

•counts to six by rote.

•counts as many objects as her age.

•identifies the eight basic colors (red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, black, white).

•identifies general body parts.

•jumps, hops and skips.

•grips a crayon and scissors correctly.

•tries to write her first name using lower case letters with a capital at the beginning.

•copies, draws and reasonably traces a line and circle.

•has had experience with puzzles, clay, block building, and painting.

It is the school’s job to meet the needs of each child who arrives. Your responsibility is to love, nurture and provide learning experiences through everyday situations. Children who have the support of their parents during the transition to school will usually be ready to learn when they begin.

Visit the Smart Start website at www.smartstartcc.org; refer to the “Kindergarten Information” section for helpful information. Your school district’s website may also provide some helpful guidelines.

Feel free to contact your child’s future school office to ask questions. Your confidence and reassurance will assist your child’s adjustment to the start of school.

Connie Schulz is family outreach specialist with the State College Area School District.