As summer draws to a close and the excitement of a new school year begins, it's the perfect time to prepare your child for the academic and social challenges ahead. Whether your child is starting kindergarten or returning to school, ensuring they have the right support and skills can make all the difference. At Beelieve, we are dedicated to helping children thrive through our comprehensive Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy services.
In this blog, we'll outline key goals in speech, occupational, and physical therapy that can aid in your child's back-to-school readiness. We'll also provide practical tips to ease the transition and set the stage for a successful year. From enhancing communication skills to improving fine motor abilities, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Let's work together to ensure your child starts the school year with confidence and enthusiasm!
Speech Milestones Entering Kindergarten
Produces grammatically correct sentences. Sentences are longer and more complex
Includes (1) main characters, settings, and words like and to connect information and (2) ideas to tell stories
Uses at least one irregular plural form, like feet or men
Understands and uses location words, like behind, beside, and between
Uses more words for time—like yesterday and tomorrow—correctly
Follows simple directions and rules to play games
Locates the front of a book and its title
Recognizes and names 10 or more letters and can usually write their own name.
Imitates reading and writing from left to right
Blends word parts, like cup + cake = cupcake. Identifies some rhyming words, like cat and hat
Produces most consonants correctly, and speech is understandable in conversation.
Can make simple inferences from presented material
Ask and answer a variety of all "wh" questions
OT Milestones when Entering Kindergarten
Fine Motor Skills:
Holds crayons with their thumb and fingers near the tip of the crayon
Uses scissors to cut out large shapes within 1/2 inch of the line
Can draw a variety of lines
Vertical, horizontal, circle, intersecting, triangle, square, diagonal, etc.
Draws inside inside the path of a simple maze with straight lines
Draws a person with multiple body parts
Uses a consistent hand for writing, eating, etc.
Able to print own name
Able to lace shoes
Gross Motor Skills:
Able to balance on one foot for around 10 seconds
Walks up and down the stairs with alternating feet
Able to jump forward, backwards, and sideways with both feet
Play Skills:
Engages in pretend play with more complex scenarios
Action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, etc.
More interested with games with rules
Board games, turn taking, outside games, etc.
More interested in constructive games with multiple steps
Legos, art projects, puzzles, etc.
Understand the concept of time
Self-Care Skills:
Dresses themselves completely (may need minimal help)
Able to brush teeth without assistance
Able to comb/brush hair
Able to feed themselves and can open food containers independently
Toilets, wipes, flushes, and redresses by themselves
PT Milestones when Entering Kindergarten
Running: able to do so on multiple surfaces (grass, concrete, playground rocks, grass to concrete)
Able to transition from walking to running or running to walking without falling
Able to run and change direction without falling
Able to hop 10 feet without stopping
Able to walk on tip toes for 10 feet
Able to skip easily
Navigating playground equipment: able to climb on/off, transition on/off slide, navigate stairs
Play ball-related games/sports
Kickball, soccer, basketball
Navigating change in surfaces without falling
Concrete > grass > sm playground rock, etc.
Jumping: jumping and landing with both feet together
Jump down, forward, or over small objects
Able to play and keep up with their peers safely in all activities (PE, recess, field days)
Tips for Back-to-School
Start a school routine (wake up time, breakfast, dress) and bedtime about 2 weeks ahead to get them accustomed to the new schedule.
Have them help pick out a backpack (and lunchbox if needed) to support their decision-making and feeling of independence.
Read books about going to kindergarten (or the grade they are entering).
Talk about how they will get to school: car, bus, grandparent etc.
Talk about how there may be new rules the teacher makes so everyone is safe, happy, and can learn.
Kindergarteners need 10-11 hours of sleep. So, make sure to plan ahead on their bedtimes. For kids who need to be up at 6AM, their bedtime should be 7 or 8PM.
What If My Child Hasn't Reached These Milestones yet?
If your child hasn’t reached these milestones yet, it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. However, early intervention can make a significant difference. At Beelieve Pediatric Therapy, we offer specialized programs in physical, occupational, and speech therapy tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. Our team of dedicated professionals works closely with families to create personalized therapy plans that foster growth and development in a supportive environment. If you have concerns about your child’s progress, we encourage you to reach out to us for a comprehensive evaluation and to explore how our therapy services can help your child thrive.
Contact Information
Keller Location:
Address: 10640 N Riverside Dr Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76244
Email: info@beelievepediatrictherapy.com
Phone: 817-431-9000
Fax: 817-796-2781
Aledo Location:
111 Larson Ln, Aledo, TX 76008
Email: aledo@beelievepediatrictherapy.com
Phone: 817-431-9000
Fax: 817-796-2781
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