Practice kindergarten skills

Practice activities your child will be doing in Kindergarten, like writing numbers and letters, holding a pencil, writing his/her name, and cutting with child-friendly scissors. 

Make following directions fun!

Practice following directions at home in fun ways to help prepare for kindergarten. Have your child do activities with one- and two-step directions before school starts. Doing crafts together, playing new games, learning and playing sports, and cooking together are all ways to support following directions. 

Set clear bedtime and morning routines.

Setting clear bedtimes and both evening and morning routines are the KEY to ensuring smooth mornings and arriving on time to Kindergarten. Work with your child to create evening routines, including laying out clothes for the next day along with brushing teeth, reading books, and bedtime that ensures a good night’s sleep. In the mornings, practice waking up on time, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and brushing teeth.  Set a goal for when you need to leave the house and challenge both you and your child to meet that goal. 

Ask how your child is feeling

Your child will experience many firsts in Kindergarten and may feel anxious about the changes. You can help your child by talking about his or her feelings and talking about your feelings throughout the transition.  While it might be hard for your child to understand or express feelings, asking questions and showing empathy will support the transition and show you care. 

Read together

Reading to your child as often as possible helps lay the foundation for kindergarten learning.  See the “Building Kdg Readers” page on this website for lists of Kindergarten transition books and reading tips to support your beginning reader.

Introduce new friends

If possible, connect with other families who will be going to kindergarten next year and arrange playdates and get togethers.  You can go to the park, library, or any place you feel comfortable. Encourage the children to “play” kindergarten and talk about what they will learn. 

Talk about your child’s strengths

Share with your child that kindergarten is all about trying new things and working to get better at old things.  Remind your child that he or she has learned so much in the first five years and has many strengths and successes. What does your child love to do?  What is your child great at doing?  What does your child know the most about?  Take the time to celebrate your child’s strengths as they get ready for this next new adventure. 

Practice asking for help

Your child may be nervous about needing help at school. That might be with personal things like going to the bathroom independently, tying shoes, or getting ready to leave at the end of the day. 

Explain that the teacher or other helpers will always be there to help if there’s a problem, and that it’s OK to ask. Have your child practice asking for help at home when needed.  This will help your child build confidence to speak up in class if help is needed.