What should children know before entering Kindergarten?

This is a BIG question that I know a lot of parents ask themselves! Living where I do, there are quite a few parents who are choosing to keep their children home in a Homeschool environment for at least the first major years of the children's lives, if not for the whole she-bang!

So......how do we know that our kids are competitive with the other kids who ARE attending public or private schools? Everyones ideas about "normal" are different, so what is it that we strive to teach our kids so that we know they will be able to handle themselves appropriately? (I'm talking about the pre-school aged kids, here! :o)

You google the info.! You google it and are bombarded with TONS of things that a child should know! Some kids are expected to know how to walk, talk, count, spell, read, speak a second language, do some basic cooking, do chores, and maybe even know how to play several musical instruments all before starting Kindergarten! Shew! I'm not even sure I can do all of that just yet myself!!

I applaud the parents/children that can accomplish all of that in such a short period of time. I however, can't seem to find two socks that match at the moment, so my expectations of what we will be ablet o teach Creston is a bit lower......still striving for excellence, but somewhat lowered expectations!

I did find the following list at this website: http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_What_your_child/

What Your Child Should Know and Be Able to Do Upon Entering Kindergarten

Care for Personal Needs
_Y_Can blow nose, cover sneeze
_N_Is independent in using the toilet (he can go by himself, but still needs help wiping)
_Y_Can wash own hands (Likes to wash his hands a little toooo muh, if you ask me!)
_Y_Can snap, button, zipper or belt own pants
_Y_Can take off and put on coat
_N_Can tie shoes (Working on this one)
_Y_Recognizes own possessions: jacket, lunchbox, etc. (Esp. if Mackie has something that is his!)
_Y_Can eat unassisted (doesn't LIKE to, but can)
_Y_Can use silverware
_Y_Will put away toys when asked (or if I tell him the Toy Fairy is coming to take them away)

Social
+/- Will listen to an adult and do as told (Ummmmmmm........sometimes)
_Y_Can cooperate with other children (if it is NOT his brother ~ sometimes)
_Y_Can play with other children without hitting or biting (however, they seem to like to hit)
_Y_Can sit for short periods (15 min.) (if watching Cartoons)
_Y_Can follow a rule (after being reminded 15 thousand times!)
_Y_Understands and follows oral directions

Intellectual
_Y_Shows an interest in books and reading
_Y_Holds book and turns pages correctly
_Y_Knows some songs, rhymes
_Y_Participates in rhyming games
_N_Identifies some letters (especially those in own name) (Working on this one too!)
_Y_Identifies labels and signs in the environment (McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, ect.)
_Y_Pretends to read and write
_Y_Knows first and last name
_N_Knows names of family members (we are still Mommy & Daddy)
_Y_Can tell about an experience (MOST DEFINATELY!!!)
_Y_Can tell and retell familiar stories
_Y_Can communicate personal needs
_Y_Has had a variety of experiences such as library, park, zoo, grocery store, post office
_Y_Can use crayons, pencil, scissors
_Y_Expresses ideas with drawings
_Y_Is willing to try to complete a task

Health
_Y_Has had all required immunizations
_Y_Has had a health check-up
_Y_Receives medical care when sick
_Y_Receives dental check-ups regularly
_Y_Eats at regular times each day
_Y_Gets eight or more hours of sleep at night
_Y_Can run, jump, climb, swing and use balls (Can't catch, but can do everything else!!)

So................looks like my little man isn't so far off the mark after all! The thing is, is that each child is different! No two are the same, so what works for mine may not work for anyone else's kid. It's all in how you do it and tailor the learning to YOUR child! :o)

Let's go see what we can learn today!!!