Kindergarten Readiness: What Parents Need to Know to Prepare Your Child

Starting kindergarten is a big deal! Not just for children, but parents too. As you step across this milestone in your child’s life, you want to ensure they’re fully prepared for the incredible adventure that lies ahead. Kindergarten readiness isn’t just about knowing ABCs and 123s, it’s about developing a range of skills that will help your child thrive in their new school environment. Let’s explore everything you need to know to prepare your child for kindergarten, so you can make the transition smooth, enjoyable, and full of positivity!

Kindergarten readiness: Making Friends

One of the most important parts of kindergarten readiness is your little one’s social skills. In kindergarten, children will be expected to interact with other kids, share, take turns, and work in groups. Here’s how you can help get them ready to interact with other people and start making connections that turn into budding friendships.

Arranging playdates and encouraging them to participate in group activities wherever you get a chance is a great way to build their social skills. These interactions help your little one practice engaging with others, sharing toys, and even resolving conflicts.
Do it yourself! Demonstrate how to be polite, take turns, and use kind words. You’ll be surprised just how much children learn a lot by observing their parents and the way they interact with other people.
Practise makes perfect! Practice correct social interactions by playing games that require taking turns, working in a group, or even by purposefully working out disagreements that arise from a game. This will allow your child to see first-hand how they should behave in the real world.

Learning to manage feelings

Understanding and managing emotions is a large part of kindergarten readiness. They are stepping into a whole new world, which will introduce new feelings and emotions that they may not have experienced before. Help your child identify and express their feelings by creating a space where they can speak freely about how they are feeling. Here are a few tips on how to do that –

Use everyday situations to discuss feelings. For example, if your child is upset, ask them to explain what they’re feeling and why.
There are many children’s books that focus on different emotions. Reading these together can help your child understand and articulate their feelings.
Show your child simple strategies for managing emotions, like deep breathing, counting to ten, or asking for help.

I like to move it!

When they get to kindergarten your little one is going to be challenged both mentally and physically with exciting new activities. Preparing them for the physical side of things (their gross and fine motor skills) will really help them transition into the kindergarten environment. So, here are a few fun ways you can develop their fine motor skills –

Play activities that involve manipulating small objects, like doing puzzles or building things with blocks, are all excellent for fine motor development.
Encourage them to draw, colour, and practice writing. This helps strengthen their hand muscles and improve their coordination.
Play with Play-Doh! Moulding and shaping Play-Doh! or clay is a fun way to develop their hands moving and their minds connecting shapes to those movements.

Gross motor skills are all the larger movements like running, jumping, and balancing. These are super important when it comes time for them to go to kindergarten. Here are a few fun ways you can develop those skills –

Playground time! Encourage outdoor activities like running, climbing, and playing on playground equipment at a park.
Enrol your child in sports, gym or dance classes. These kinds of activities are great for coordination and for their overall physical development.
Do it yourself! Set up little obstacle courses at home or in the garden to challenge your child’s agility and balance. You can make them out of anything that challenges them physically while still being really fun. Things like stepping stones or plank walking are ideal!

Get excited!

Going to kindergarten is a big step for our little ones. It’s best to do everything we can to make them feel confident about the step and like they’re going somewhere that feels safe and familiar. Here’s how you can help –

Take them to go and visit the school. Show your little one their new classroom, their playground, and other key areas they’ll be spending time in. Don’t rush them, let them take time to familiarise themselves with their space and even start playing if they’d like to!
Introduce your child to their teacher before the first day. This is a really important one, because a friendly face on their first day can make all the difference in how they accept their new surroundings.
Talk about it. Discuss what they’ll be doing and what they can expect. Talk through the activities they’re going to be part of. This helps them know what to expect and feel more prepared.

Be positive

Your enthusiasm about kindergarten can be contagious. So try your best to be positive and encouraging about the big step (even if you’re nervous yourself!).

Share your excitement about kindergarten with your little ones. Talk about the fun activities, new friends, and exciting learning opportunities that await them!
Read all about it! There are many children’s books about starting school. Get one from your local library and read it together to help your little one more comfortable and understand that everything they’re feeling is normal.
Celebrate! Plan a small celebration or create a countdown calendar to build anticipation towards their big day. By framing it as something to look forward to, they’ll immediately start associating kindergarten with positivity and joy.

Achieving kindergarten readiness together

We know that preparing your child for kindergarten is a big step – and not just for the kids! By focusing on the areas above, you’ll set your little one off on their adventure with confidence and excitement. Starting kindergarten can be a joy-filled journey that forms the start of an amazing academic career.

At Child’s Play, we know just how big a step it is for families. Which is why we do everything we can to make both the children and their parents feel at home at our centres. Because we’re parents ourselves, we’re well-experienced with first-day jitters and the emotions that come with this transition. Plus, our centres are designed in such a way that children get swept up in the fun of new activities and, before they know it, have completed their first day!

And here’s something to make your child’s journey even better: you could save up to $2,050 in Kindergarten fees in 2024. So, book a tour for you and your little one at your nearest Child’s Play Centre, and experience everything we have to offer—firsthand!