1. Basic Self-Care Skills
Being independent with personal care tasks helps children feel confident in the classroom. Before kindergarten, practice these skills at home.  Set aside an extra 10 minutes before you leave the house to work on 1 or 2 of these skills.

• Use the bathroom independently
• Wash hands properly
• Put on and take off their coat
• Open their lunch containers
• Zip their backpack
• Tie shoes (or wear velcro alternatives)

2. Social and Emotional Readiness
Kindergarteners need basic social skills to interact with classmates and teachers. Your child should be developing:

• The ability to share and take turns
• Basic listening skills
• Following simple 2-step directions: “Put up your coat, and then find your seat”
• Managing emotions appropriately
• Separation confidence from parents (being able to enter a building without tears, after saying goodbye to a parent/caregiver)
• Using words to express needs and feelings

3. Early Academic Foundations
Kindergarten teachers can handle the academics.  They instruct children who come at all academic ranges, and differentiating instruction is a kindergarten teacher’s specialty.  However, having these basic academic skills will give your child a strong start:

• Recognition of their first name
• Ability to write their first name
• Beginning recognition of letter names and sounds
• Counting to 10
• Recognition of basic colors and shapes
• Understanding of basic concepts like “up/down” and “over/under”

4. Fine Motor Skills
These skills are crucial for writing, drawing, and daily activities. Practice these activities:

• Holding and using scissors safely
• Gripping a pencil correctly
• Drawing basic shapes
• Coloring within lines
• Using glue appropriately
• Stringing large beads

5. Routine and Structure Understanding
Help your child adapt to school routines by:

• Establishing consistent bedtime and morning routines
• Teaching them to follow multi-step directions
• Practicing sitting still for short periods
• Understanding basic time concepts (morning, afternoon, before, after)
• Learning to clean up after activities
• Following a schedule

Additional Tips for Parents:

• Read to your child daily
• Practice these skills through play
• Maintain a positive attitude about school
• Visit the school before the first day
• Establish communication with teachers early

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. Focus on making learning fun and celebrating progress. If you have concerns about your child’s readiness, consult with their future kindergarten teacher or early childhood professional.

The goal isn’t to have perfect mastery of all these skills before the first day. Instead, familiarity with these concepts will help your child feel more confident and ready to learn in their new environment. With support and encouragement, your child can have a successful start to their educational journey.  First step kindergarten….then you blink: High School graduation!