When it comes to preschool and kindergarten readiness, there is no magic formula to ensure a child’s success, but the data tells us that when children start school with the skills necessary to learn, they hit the ground running and excel in school.
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have spent a lot of time helping parents of typically developing children and children with developmental delays prepare for that first day of school. Whether children are going to preschool first or straight to kindergarten, there are certain skills that will put them on the right track. Of course, preschools usually have some guidelines, such as children must be potty-trained and be able to drink from a regular cup verses a sippy cup, but kindergarten readiness can be much more ambiguous. The National Education Goals Panel outlines five domains of development essential for kindergarten readiness. These domains encompass physical health, incorporating both fine and gross motor skills, as well as socioemotional, language, and cognitive development. Additionally, the domains include approaches to learning, characterized by enthusiasm.
How do we know when a child is kindergarten-ready? All over America, four and five-year-olds are taking state-required Kindergarten Readiness Assessments (KRA) and the scores are very revealing. Prior to the pandemic, approximately 40% of children assessed were deemed ready for kindergarten, but data from KRA assessments from 2021 in Cincinnati showed that only 30% of children were assessed as ready for kindergarten according to an article published in JAMA Pediatrics in February, 2024.
This decline is concerning because when children start kindergarten unprepared, they typically have a hard time catching up and consistently have lower GPAs, lower test scores, and higher rates of dropping out of high school. Conversely, a recent longitudinal study through the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood found that children who performed well on KRAs consistently scored better on math and language arts tests in third grade and have higher GPAs in middle school and high school. Not only does kindergarten readiness ensure that children have greater success in kindergarten, but we now know that the learning potential from kindergarten readiness is sustained over time.
Kindergarten readiness skills encompass more than just ABCs and 123s. The soft skills of “please and thank you”, walking in a line with other children, and taking turns are often learned organically through social situations in early childhood. A great free or inexpensive way to help children be kindergarten-ready is to take advantage of the resources in the community. Expose children to social situations such as story time, playdates, and activities at recreation centers so they can practice social skills. If children are usually home with parents, start practicing separation with playdates or other activities.
Parents, you do not have to be early childhood experts or preschool teachers to prepare your children for kindergarten. Here are some helpful tips to ensure success. Talk, read and sing to babies and young children all day long. Early literacy and vocabulary are so important. Children begin to establish their own vocabulary from the day they are born as they listen to parents and caregivers speak to them. Read a book to your child every single day, and make it interactive. Ask your child how they feel about the story and name the feelings of the characters to teach socioemotional skills, such as “he is sad because he dropped his ice cream cone. When have you felt sad?” Begin to point out letters in the book, then point out letters in other places, such as cereal boxes and road signs. Start talking about the sounds that letters make to provide an early foundation of phonic awareness.
Kindergarteners will be expected to have some understanding of numbers and their sequence and value. Parents can help children learn early math skills by incorporating math into daily activities in fun and engaging ways. Simple tasks like counting objects during playtime, sorting toys by size or color, and using language that includes math concepts, such as "more," "less," "bigger," "smaller" can build foundational skills. Reading books that feature numbers and shapes, playing board games that involve counting or number recognition, and involving children in water play or cooking with measuring cups can also be beneficial.
Children are more successful in kindergarten when they are familiar with simple tools often used in school. Provide crayons, play dough, lacing cards, puzzles, child safety scissors, glue sticks, and sidewalk chalk to build fine motor skills and visual motor skills. Make sure that children have plenty of balls, wiffle ball bats, jump ropes, hoola hoops and trips to the playground to help them develop large muscle skills.
Children will receive support with self-help skills in kindergarten, but parents can foster their independence by practicing skills such as tying shoes, opening small containers, putting on and zipping coats, and pulling up pants before they start school.
Take advantage of any opportunities offered at the elementary school where children will be attending. Start to familiarize children with the school they will attend for kindergarten by participating in events such as story time with the principal and playing on the school playground on the weekends.
Children learn through experiences. Provide as many new and engaging experiences as possible, encourage questions and participate in conversations with children to build their vocabulary.
In conclusion, preparing children for kindergarten is a multifaceted process that involves nurturing a range of skills beyond academic knowledge. By engaging in meaningful interactions, providing diverse experiences, and practicing essential self-help skills, parents can help their children develop the readiness necessary for a successful start to school. Ultimately, a supportive and enriching early environment sets the foundation for a lifetime of new learning.
Dr. Aimee Ketchum
Author