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Child Development - The Six-Year Old
The Six-Year Old At School

by Kimberly L. Keith
for About.com

First Grade

Skills Kids Need to Begin First Grade

  • Listen to the teacher and raise hand to talk
  • Line up and walk with a group without talking or disturbing others
  • Work independently without disturbing other students
  • Keep up with possessions and inform parents when out of supplies (pencils, etc.)
  • Listen to authority figures and follow instructions
  • Converse with teachers and peers about daily activities and events
  • Recgonize and write numbers to at least 20
  • Recognize and write alphabet
  • Recognize and sort by shapes and patterns
  • Write first and last name
  • Retell a story

Next > The Six-Year Old - What First Graders Learn

Note to Parents...
Children, families, and schools vary so widely that it's possible only to state general guidelines for the skills needed to start the grade and those the child will learn in this grade. So, don't panic if your child or school doesn't match the list exactly. Just be aware of these skills and work on them with your child this year.

Child Development - The Six-Year Old

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