Kindergarten

School Readiness is…

School readiness describes both the preparedness of a child to engage in and benefit from learning experiences and the ability of a school to meet the needs of all students enrolled in publicly funded kindergarten. School readiness is enhanced when schools, families, and community service providers work collaboratively to ensure that every child is ready for higher levels of learning in academic content. State Board of Education, 2023.

Going to school is important!

If a child misses 10 days of school each year from kindergarten-12th grade, that child has missed an entire year of school by graduation.  Start now getting your child and family in the routine of going to school on time every day by setting and keeping a daily routine.

Building Healthy Habits

• Read to your child daily.  Creating a reading routine is an excellent way to model the importance of reading as well as expose your child to new vocabulary and concepts and ideas all while enjoying stories and time together. Making books accessible for your child to explore on their own is another great way to encourage reading at home. ( https://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/parent_resources )
   
• Develop healthy habits: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and good hygiene. Encourage regular meals, limit screen time, and ensure adequate sleep, while also promoting active play and outdoor activities.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
  • 10-13 hours of sleep (including naps)
  • Limit screen time to 1 hour of high quality programs -  Are Some Types of Screen Time Better than Others?  
  • Physical activity - Children aged 3-5 years should be physically active throughout the day, aiming for at least 180 minutes (3 hours) of physical activity, including active play, spread throughout the day. 
     
• Routines for School Readiness:  Establish consistent routines that include structured morning and evening activities and foster independence through age-appropriate tasks and chores. 
  • Morning Routine:
    • Wake-up Time: Establish a consistent wake-up time to help regulate sleep patterns and ensure a smooth transition into the day. 
    • Personal Hygiene: Encourage independent brushing teeth, washing hands, and getting dressed. 
    • Breakfast: Ensure a nutritious breakfast to fuel the body and mind for the day ahead. 
    • Pack Lunch/Supplies: Prepare lunches and school supplies the night before to reduce morning stress. 
    • Review the Day: Briefly discuss the day's schedule and any important activities or events. 
    • Leave for School: Practice leaving the house on time and independently, if appropriate. 
  • Evening Routine:
    • Homework/Study Time: Establish a dedicated time and space for homework and studying. 
    • Relaxation: Allow time for quiet activities, reading, or engaging in hobbies before bedtime. 
    • Bedtime: Maintain a consistent bedtime to ensure adequate sleep. 
    • Prepare for the Next Day: Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, and prepare for the next day's activities.

A parent is the child’s first - and most important – teacher.

• I make sure the school knows how to reach me.
• I check my child’s backpack daily and respond to school letters.
• I read or look at books with my child daily.
• I make sure my child is at school every day, on time, unless they are sick.
• I send my child to school in comfortable play clothes and shoes and label all clothing and belongings.
• I keep a set of spare clothes in my child’s backpack.
• I help my child learn to take care of their own things.
• I send food for lunch in packaging that my child can open. 
• I ask my child about their day and show a positive attitude about school.
• I let my child know that their learning is important and I want them to do well by supporting their curiosity and praising their hard work. 

 

Self-Help Skills

• Knows and responds to their first and last name
• Knows parents’ first names
• Has independent restroom and dressing skills (button/unbutton/zip pants, put on coat and zip, put on gloves, put on shoes)
• Takes care of belongings (backpack, folder, pencil box)
• Eats a meal in less than 20 minutes
• Opens lunch items independently (ex. unwrap cheese stick, open milk carton, use tongs, etc)
• Asks for help when needed (ex. asks to go to the bathroom)

Social and Emotional Skills

• Separates and can be away from parents without distress
• Asks for help to communicate a problem/conflict.  (What do I do when someone took my toy?)
• Remembers instructions and carries out 2-3 simple tasks (ex. push in your chair, put your trash in the trash can, put your plate in the sink)
• Plays and shares toys and materials with other children without difficulty
• Identifies basic emotions (happy, sad, mad, scared, excited, frustrated)  

Resource:  Today I Feel Chart

Motor Skills

• Holds a pencil/crayon/marker without holding it in a fist
• Holds scissors using a proper grip with one hand while holding a piece of paper to cut in the other hand
• Draws some simple shapes (horizontal and vertical lines, circle, square)
• Uses scissors and glue at home
• Throw and catch a ball
• Access and use playground equipment 

Academic Skills

• Is curious – asks and answers questions, speaks in  complete sentences
• Identifies colors
• Recognizes and writes the letters in their first name
• Able to name and identify  some letters in the alphabet( magnets, foam letters, puzzles, stamps, songs)
• Able to name and identify  some numbers( magnets, foam numbers, puzzles, stamps, songs)
• Sorts objects by shape, color, or size
• Draws and colors beyond a simple scribble
• Listens to a story and can talk about it
• Counts up to 10 objects

See how many of these you can complete!  Bring this page to your first day of school to get a prize! 

• Read a book every day
• Practice writing your name
• Go for a walk and talk about what you see
• Visit the library and get a library card
• Go on a special picnic and eat lunch out of a lunchbox
• Play a board game
• Read a book and talk about how the characters are feeling
• Sing the alphabet song and point to the letters
• Go on a hike/do a physical activity for 30 minutes
• Visit a playground
• Do something kind for a friend or neighbor
• Practice writing numbers
• Read a counting book
• Create a story and draw pictures to illustrate it
• Play a game with dice
• Sing a nursery rhyme
• Get dressed by yourself
• Help sort and fold laundry
• Read a non-fiction book
• Play with playdoh
• Help write a grocery list
• Have a play date
• Practice skipping, hopping and jumping
• Set the table. Count the number of plates, cups, silverware
• Read a story with animal characters
• Make an art project that requires cutting and gluing
• Clean up your place after dinner
• Create a name tag for your room
• Practice putting things in your backpack and zipping it
• Go on a shape hunt

 

 

 

Download and print the Preparing for Kindergarten packet