Getting Ready for Kindergarten This Summer: How to Prepare Your Preschooler 

In just a few short months, your little learner may be starting school so getting them ready for kindergarten may be on your mind. Just more than half of Colorado’s kindergarteners enter kindergarten with the skills to learn, according to research from Early Milestones Colorado. As this Chalkbeat article about the report highlights, children are lagging behind most in math skills while 63.2% have the physical and developmental skills required for kindergarten. 

You can support your child’s kindergarten readiness, learning and curiosity while minimizing their fears (and yours) with a few fun activities and proactive measures this summer. 

Kindergarten Prep: Five Things You Can Do Everyday

Most families with young children do not need more on their to-do list. Incorporating simple activities into your daily routine can minimize the extra work and maximize the benefits. The American Academy of Pediatrics points out in the blog post, “您的孩子准备好上幼儿园了吗？” that learning begins at home. Limiting your and your child’s screen time, exploring the world around you together, singing and reading are great ways to help them develop skills to be successful in school and in life. 

When it comes to getting your child ready for kindergarten, try these five ideas: 

• Encourage your child to name their feelings throughout the day as they occur. Simply asking, “how did that make you feel” helps them pause and think about their emotions. You can also talk about emotions while you’re at the dinner table or getting your child ready for bed. Have them discuss what feelings they experienced throughout the day and how each one made them feel. 
• Read stories and talk about what’s happening while you’re reading. Have your child point out words and numbers. You can also have them anticipate what might happen next or talk about how they might end the story in a new day (or, solve the problem differently). 
• Ask your child to draw pictures and write their name while you are cooking, folding laundry or doing another household duty that you would prefer to do sans little hands. Encourage them to tell you about what they are drawing. 
• Play counting, color and letter games anytime you are with your child–on a drive to the grocery store, around the house, at bath time or even in your backyard or at a park. Have them point out objects with different colors and talk about it together. Or take turns saying different words and telling each other what letters they start with. Encouraging your child to count their orange slices or carrots before they eat them and challenging them to pick up a certain number of toys are great ways to build math skills during everyday activities. Take it one step further and have them sort their toys by colors, shapes or sizes. 
• Lean into alphabet learning and rhyming time. Sing “The Alphabet Song” and read alphabet books together. From learning to identify letters to improved literacy skills, children reap many benefits from repetition with the alphabet. Rhyming helps children learn new words (and have fun making up words,) build their awareness of the sounds of words and more. Listen to songs and nursery rhymes together or go back and forth making up rhymes together–you’d be surprised how many words can rhyme with “sky” and “dog”  when your little learner gets their creative juices flowing. 

Northern Colorado Kids Thrive’s Be Ready Kindergarten Guide provides helpful activities and exercises to do with your preschooler this summer. Their download is available in English and Spanish.

Don’t Forget to Play As Part of Kindergarten Preparation

Research shows that play has vast benefits for children’s cognitive and emotional development. Whether you are stuck inside on a rainy day or looking to venture outdoors, check out these blog posts for tips on incorporating more play into your child’s day: 

• “玩耍的力量——适合学龄前儿童的热门游戏“
• “丹佛学龄前儿童和幼儿的春夏季活动创意”
• “Denver Splash Pad Fun and Wonderful Water Adventures for Preschoolers“

Additional Resources for Getting Ready for Kindergarten

In addition to implementing some helpful habits at home, you and your child should also regularly talk about their new routine at kindergarten. How will their day look? Will you drop them off at the door or walk into their classroom? Most schools have a meet-and-great prior to the first day so your child can meet their teacher, visit their classroom and get familiar with the school. 

Our “Back-to-School Tips for Easing Preschool Anxiety,” blog post offers great tips for preparing for school no matter what age your child may be. 

Worried about whether your little learner is ready for kindergarten? Check out our recent blog post, “Insights for Preschool Families: Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?”

Or, are you a preschool family looking for more tips, events and insights as you gear up for preschool and beyond? Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Family Dispatch. Offered in English and Spanish, Family Dispatch is packed with ways to save on preschool costs, fun local events and ideas to boost your child’s learning all year long.