What should a 4 year old know?

Albie is starting school in September.  Albie has attended Starbrite pre-school for over 12 months now, which is a great way to get him ready for starting the reception year at whichever school he eventually attends.  I will be spending lots of time over the next few months making sure he is 'ready' for school.  By that I mean he has the ability (and confidence) to do the following:

• dress and undress himself
• go to the toilet all by himself
• open his own lunch box, open yoghurt pots, peel satsumas, etc
• put on and do up his coat
• undo and take off his coat
• hang his coat up

The above list are my main focus in order to make Albie's transition into school as smooth as possible - I know that Starbrite are dealing and have dealt with other important things such as:

• learning to play with his peers
• learning to resolve conflict with his peers
• listen to his teachers and do what he has been asked to do
• ask a teacher for assistance if needed
• understand there are rules and the need for the rules

I hope that the upbringing that Albie is enjoying is giving him the ability to:

• use his imagination in his play
• learn to assess risks
• have the confidence to take risks
• learn that books provide a magical make believe world
• realise that it is OK if he gets covered in mud/paint/glue/water etc, it will all wash off
• believe in himself, he can be anything he wants to be

I have always been very relaxed about children learning to read, write, recognise numbers, etc.  I firmly believe that they will learn, when they are ready to and when they want to, it is not a race!  

During my time spent with the children in my care, we will learn so many things by playing and hopefully having lots of fun along the way.

   

Here is a link to a wonderful post by A Magical Childhood  detailing a fabulous list of "what a four year old should know" - I think should be compulsory reading for all parents!