School is just around the corner, and some kiddos will be starting their journey into formal education as they head off to Kindergarten. Here are some tips to prepare your child…and yourself for this important milestone.

Why is it important to prepare your child for Kindergarten?

It is important that your child is prepared for this transition so they can have positive interactions when learning and participating in the classroom as well as to build their self-esteem and motivation.

What are common “readiness” skills?

While every school may have their own checklist or assessments, there are some basics skills that most Kindergarten teachers will look for including the following:

Self Help Skills

• Child is able to be independent (eating, using restroom, clean up)
• Able to ask for help, when appropriate
• Can follow one-step and two-step directions

Social/Emotional Skills

• Shares with others
• Takes turns
• Good listener
• Able to work independently or in small groups
• Plays/cooperates with others
• Able to separate from Caregiver

Gross (large) Motor Skills

• Runs, jumps
• Able to bounce, kick, and throw a ball
• Able to participate in small games
• Can stand on one foot

Fine (small) Motor Skills

• Able to hold a pen or pencil correctly
• Able to hold and use a scissor correctly—cutting straight and curvy lines
• Can turn pages in a book
• Can put simple puzzles together

Math, Language, and Literacy Skills

• Able to count to 10
• Recognizes 10 or more letters, especially those in own name
• Speaks in sentences of 5+ words
• Speech is understandable to adults
• Identifies and names basic shapes
• Listens attentively and can respond to stories/books
• Recognizes rhyming words and can put words together that rhyme

How can you help your child be ready for Kindergarten?

Here are some tips to help your child be the best they can be when heading off to Kindergarten:

• Talk about what will happen in school—what will be the new routine?
• Arrange a visit to the school and travel the route from home to school (especially if they will be on a bus).
• Encourage play—independently and with other children.
• Read, Read, Read—ask questions about the book (what may happen, what they learned), and have them identify colors, shapes, letters
• Have child practice coloring, writing, and using scissors—“practice makes perfect!”
• Talk with your child—ask them open-ended questions and have them reciprocate.
• Use daily activities to point out words, numbers and help child formulate sentences of 5+ words.
• Encourage independence in your child by having them do simple chores (ex: make bed, help set table/clean up at mealtimes, help with pets in household).

***Most importantly caregivers…be careful not to transmit any anxieties or sadness you may have when your “baby” goes off to school. Children can easily pick up on the emotions of adults, so wait until the bus is out of sight, or the car door closes and THEN pull out the tissues!!