Kindergarten Readiness
Although it might seem that we are right in the heart of summer, the school year starts on Tuesday, August 24th and that date is quickly approaching! Now is the time to gather all of the needed documents and make an appointment with your neighborhood ACPS school to register for kindergarten! How to Enroll
As you prepare your children for the school year, we are pleased to share these tips from teachers for students entering kindergarten:
- Social Emotional and Independence Skills are the most important skills teachers wish students would have entering kindergarten. Practice letting your child take turns, wait, and share. Practice giving your child age-appropriate chores around the house (such as dusting, helping to unload the dishwasher, sorting laundry). Encourage your child to dress themselves, open zip lock bags, put the straw in the juice box, and put on their own shoes.
- ABC’s and 123’s will be taught in Kindergarten, but it’s not too early for your child to begin to recognize their own name, write their name, listen to stories/rhymes, tell stories, recognize letters in the environment, count the steps to their bedroom, sort toys, etc. Practice age-appropriate activities that are fun.
- Support the teacher by providing the needed consistency and communication between home and school. Provide information to the teacher about what goes on at home that might impact your student’s behavior or academic performance. Let the teacher know if your child skipped breakfast or didn’t sleep well the night before.
- Keep a consistent schedule at home. Keep to the same approximate meal times, bed times, reading/quiet times, and play times. This routine will help your child be more attentive during school.
- Writing practice does not have to be using pencil and paper. You can practice with your child using chalk on a sidewalk, paint brushes or marker and paper on an easel, or using index finger and drawing in sand, shaving cream, or slime. Build the fine motor skills in the hands by spraying a spray bottle to water plants or by squeezing playdough/slime/bean bags.
- Play and life experiences are valuable learning tools for your child. Play and have fun with your child. Take them to the park and climb the structures with him. Go to the zoo and discuss what makes animals different and the same. Have play dates that encourages sharing and cooperation. Cook something together to follow directions and learn about measuring and counting. Play games such as red light/green light to help foster self-regulation skill building or Simon Says to foster following directions.
