I think listening is important. Do they follow a parent's directions?
We ask each classroom teacher to pick an outstanding student from the class. But not just for academics, for demonstrating outstanding citizenship and effort.
There's probably more anxiety on the parents' part than on the child's part. There's probably more tears shed on the parents' part on the first day of school.
Academic skills are things we're going to be teaching them. Socially, you don't know until they're here interacting with other kids.
It's good recognition for the kids. It gets the parents involved and it gives us an opportunity to thank them for their efforts.
It's very easy to see those on a bedtime schedule and those not.
In education, long term, the only thing constant is change.