WORKING TOWARD THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL : PREKINDERGARTNERS LEARN ABOUT LIFE WITH TEACHER.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Jade Estes knows exactly what she likes about the prekindergarten program she attends four mornings a week at Borchard Community Center.

``I like my friends best,'' the 5-year-old said.

That should please Jennifer Chechile, teacher of the program sponsored by the Conejo Recreation and Park District at the Borchard center.

According to Chechile, an important step in a youngster's preparation for school is the development of social skills.

``They have the rest of their lives to learn their ABCs. If they don't have the social skills, they're not going to learn,'' said Chechile, who is trained in early childhood education and is working toward her teaching credential.

About 12 youngsters, 4 to 6 years old, are in the nine-week program aimed at preparing them for kindergarten.

Though socialization is emphasized, academic skills are not ignored.

``What I try to do is gear them for the social, emotional and academic transition to kindergarten,'' Chechile said.

In the first week of the program, which started Monday, the youngsters are discussing their likes and dislikes in a unit called ``All about me.'' In the next three weeks, they will discuss ocean, forest and pond life.

Beginning with the fifth week, the children will help devise the curriculum.

``We'll be studying what they're interested in,'' Chechile said. ``They get more out of their education when they put something into it.'' The summer program will offer a variety of experience, Chechile said. The children will work in groups to can learn cooperation, and their listening and communication skills will be exercised.

Newbury Park resident Carol Walker said her 4-year-old son, Andy, is getting used to a classroom before he starts kindergarten in the fall.

Andy is shy and stayed by his mother through much of the morning Wednesday, the third day of the summer program, but she saw some progress.

``He's getting more used to the kids and joining in a little more,'' Walker said. ``I'm happy.''

There is still room for more youngsters. For information, call the Borchard Community Center at [phone]. There is a $12 lab fee for supplies.

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR KINDERGARTEN? Here are signs that show a child is ready to start kindergarten, according to Jennifer Chechile, who is a teacher in the Conejo Recreation and Park District's prekindergarten program this summer.

The child shows an active interest in learning. For example, the child picks up a pen and paper and begins scribbling or opens a book and pretends to read, often making up his or her own story.

The youngster wants to be with other children. For example, the child may ask to be taken to someone's house or show signs of boredom at home.

The youngster demonstrates ability to follow two or more instructions without needing to have subsequent directions repeated after the first accomplishment.

The youngster plays word games. For example, the child manipulates objects into the shape of letters or makes up words to a familiar tune.

The child demonstrates comprehension of a story by asking questions related to the details.

The child asks a lot of questions about everything.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Box: IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR KINDERGARTEN? (See tex t)

Photo: (1--Color) Samantha Chasse, 4, outlines a cooperative classmate, Gabriella Rossetti, also 4.

(2--Color) Samantha Chasse, 4, colors a life-size ``portrait'' of herself in a Conejo Recreation and Park District prekindergarten class.

Evan Yee/Daily News