Starting Kindergarten? What Your Child Needs to Be Ready

 

There they go, off to “big kid” school! As they walk into their first day of class with a new backpack and bevy of school supplies, you might pause for a moment and wonder, “Is my child really ready for kindergarten?” 

 

Preparing for kindergarten is no small matter. Many families, bursting with pride and trepidation, shed a few tears when the first day of kindergarten comes. 

 

“Working with children to set a strong foundation around some key hard and soft skills has become increasingly important to make sure they are prepared for kindergarten,” says Khy Sline, curriculum supervisor on our education team and former kindergarten teacher. “Because of the changes that have happened over time in elementary, middle, and high schools, there are higher expectations for what kindergarteners need to be able to do compared to a generation ago.” 

 

We asked our education team to share some wisdom with families looking to help kids head off to kindergarten prepped and ready. 

 

What we learn with joy, we never forget. More important than what a child knows is their attitude toward learning. “These children are still so young, and you want to keep learning joyful and fun,” says Khy. 

 

At home, you can: Incorporate a little learning into summer days! It’s easy. Children are naturally curious, so you can do things like count raisins before you gobble them up or say a tree’s name as you walk past it. 

 

Your kiddo may just be starting to scribble while their peers might be writing their names. Everyone learns differently (and at different paces), and that’s okay. Give your child the space and time they need to show what they know. Learning will come at its own pace and in its own way. “The most important thing you can give your young learner is a feeling of positivity about themselves and school,” says Khy. 

 

At home, you can: Focus on what they can do. Be excited about where they are in their learning process. If your child doesn’t know how to write the whole alphabet, don’t worry; they’ll get there. You can even help them by playing silly word games with letters they already know well, then adding in one or two new letters every so often! 

 

When you see work your child has done, give meaningful praise. Instead of a chorus of “good jobs,” try to take note of something they did differently and creatively. 

 

At home, you can: Say something like, I see you made a whole series of circles. Tell me more about your idea here. This invites a conversation where they can practice social skills and provides a moment where you can show how important their ideas are. 

 

Use imaginative play to practice and get excited about school. 

 

At home, you can: Set up a desk, pencil box, and cubby where their things go. You can ask them to be the teacher so you can be the student and model the importance of good listening when they are in class.   

 

Another good thing to practice is taking a bathroom break. Walk your kiddo through the process of opening/closing stall doors, zipping/unzipping their pants, and washing their hands. 

 

Children have to learn to listen, stand in line, raise their hand before talking, and not move around the classroom all day. That can be tough for many children. Helping them learn empathy, turn-taking, and teamwork will help them be successful. 

 

At home, you can: Talk about feelings! Helping children name their feelings is a BIG step toward raising them to be empathetic. 

 

If you’re wondering if your child is ready for kindergarten, the best thing to do is reach out to your child’s pre-K teacher—especially if you’re feeling anxious about it. They’ll be more than willing to answer questions about your child’s social, emotional, and academic readiness for kindergarten. 

 

After all, big-kid school is a big deal—luckily, by choosing a top preschool, you can be certain your child will be more than ready!