Social Skills Needed for Kindergarten

How can I be sure that my rather shy preschooler has the social skills needed to enter kindergarten? -- Need to Know
Answer: Keep in mind that some children are simply more shy than others. Every child is not going to be a "social butterfly." And it can be counterproductive to push such children into social situations that make them uncomfortable. Unless your child's shyness is preventing him or her from enjoying being with other children, his or her shyness is not likely to be a problem in kindergarten.
Many skills are important in determining if your child is ready for kindergarten. The ability to get along with others is certainly one of them. Here is an ERIC digest checklist that will let you observe how well your child is doing in forming social skills. If your child exhibits most of the traits on this checklist, he or she is not likely to need any special help when he or she encounters occasional difficulties. On the other hand, if your child demonstrates few of the traits on this checklist, he or she might need some strategies to build more satisfying relationships with other children. If your child has attended a preschool program, how well he or she has handled the social aspects should give you a good idea of how well the child will handle kindergarten.
Social Skills Checklist
The child usually:
1. Approaches others positively.
2. Expresses wishes and preferences clearly.
3. Asserts own rights and needs appropriately; gives reasons for actions and positions.
4. Is not easily intimidated by bullies.
5. Expresses frustrations and anger effectively without escalating disagreements or harming others.
6. Gains access to ongoing groups at play and work.
7. Makes relevant contributions to ongoing activities.
8. Takes turns fairly easily.
9. Shows interest in others.
10. Negotiates and compromises with others appropriately.
11. Does not draw inappropriate attention to self.
12. Interacts nonverbally (smiles, waves, nods) with other children