When you are old enough to go to preschool or kindergarten, you should begin to learn
and use the skills that will help you to read and write and do arithmetic when you
are older. For example, listening to stories, rhyming words, and matching letters
are skills needed for learning to read. Counting, sorting shapes, and building with
blocks are skills needed to learn math. Painting, coloring, copying shapes, and using
scissors are some of the skills needed in learning to write. Using words to ask questions,
give answers, follow directions, describe things, explain what you mean, and tell
stories allows you to acquire and share knowledge and experience of the world around
you. All of these are called "readiness skills," and you should have them by the time
you begin first grade.