"This is not a test a child can pass or fail," said coordinator Cindy Bellrichard of the pre-kindergarten screenings to be held on Jan.

Friday, January 26, 2001

"This is not a test a child can pass or fail," said coordinator Cindy Bellrichard of the pre-kindergarten screenings to be held on Jan. 29, at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Instead, pre-kindergarten screenings gauge a particular child’s abilities in comparison to other children of four years and two months. Parents should also be aware that the screenings are required by the state of Minnesota.

Bellrichard said that the evaluations are intended to show areas where a child needs more work at least a year before he or she enters kindergarten. Parents can then work with the child during the year before kindergarten to improve those skills.

In the same way, parents possibly will learn what their child’s strengths are during the screening.

Children are asked to use their fine motor skills by cutting paper with scissors, coloring and drawing.

They may be asked to tell a story, so that their speech can be evaluated. They also may be asked to play with shapes (to test their understanding of concepts) or to copy a shape onto a piece of paper (to test hand-eye coordination).

Each child’s vision and hearing will be checked and body measurements and weight will be taken to compare to growth statistics for children within the same age group.

While they are being observed, the children who are being screened are engaged in fun activities, such as skipping, jumping or playing catch, so they may not be aware that they are actually being evaluated.

The public health nurse will be at the screening to go over each child’s immunization record, and to answer any diet or health questions parents have. A dental hygienist will also be there to check each child’s teeth and gums.

Each screening will take approximately 90 minutes, including a conference in which parents hear the results of the screening.

"We don’t want anyone to feel pressure or stress," said Bellrichard.

To make an appointment or for further information, call the Austin Public Schools’ Special Services Department at 433-4422, ext. 7216 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.