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How Teachers Evaluate Preschoolers

by Susan Friedman

Your preschooler won't be getting tests and grades, but that doesn't mean her teacher isn't noticing how she's doing. In the midst of playdough and the hokey-pokey, your child is developing important skills and mental abilities. There's a whole lot going on in your little one's head these days, and baby-talk is just the tip of the cognitive iceberg! Here's the inside scoop on what the teacher will look for when she evaluates your child:

• Motor development -- Does your child run, jump, climb easily and with coordination?

• Small motor development -- Does your child have good control using a paintbrush, crayons, and puzzles?

• Cognitive development -- Does your child understand the concepts of yesterday, today, and tomorrow?

• Number correspondence -- This is different from counting. It occurs when a child understands "I have one block here. How many will I have if I add one?"

• Pre-reading -- Can your child come up with a rhyme? "What sounds like block?" "Clock!"

• Attention span -- Can your child sit still during story time? Does she concentrate for long periods of time when building with blocks (or another activity), or does she move quickly from one activity to another?

• Relationships with others -- Does your child play well with other children? How does she respond to conflict? Can she take turns? Stand up for herself?

• Relationship with the teacher -- Does she feel comfortable asking for help when she needs it?

• Emotional development -- How does she handle transitions during the day? If she cries when mom leaves, does she bounce back quickly? Does she cry much during the day? Is she calm during lunch or snack time?