1. Kindergarten Readiness Early Childhood Educator
Ready, Set, Go
Chris Miller
Early Childhood Educator
Fraser Public Schools
Source: Fraser Public Schools and Macomb Intermediate School District

2. If children could tell us what they need, here’s what they might say…

3. “I need adults to work together to help me get ready for school.”
Here’s how you can help!

4. “I need to feel excited and comfortable about starting school”
My Social and Emotional Skills
“I need to feel excited and comfortable about starting school”
Let me know that you are excited about me starting school
Give me a chance to visit school before I start
Talk about an experience you had at school
I need to feel excited and comfortable about starting kindergarten

5. I need to feel good about myself
Teach me to follow directions by giving me simple steps to follow.
Help me to learn how to share, stand in line, wait my turn, and how to sit in a circle
Pay attention to me and listen to my ideas
Praise me for my strengths
Help me feel good about things I can do

6. How I Learn “I need to be excited about learning”
Encourage me to explore with my senses-to see, touch, smell, hear and taste my world
Help me learn step by step
Teach me that making mistakes is part of learning
Help me learn and try new activities
Give me lots of time to figure things out

7. Beginning Reading “I need to be familiar with words and books”
Read to me
Ask me questions about stories and help me understand their meaning
Sing songs and teach me rhymes
Teach me new words
Help me hear the sounds that letters make

8. Beginning Numbers “I need to count and understand number order”
Recognize numbers 1-10
Let me count things at home
Let me know that a number represents that many objects (3 bears, 2 sisters, 5 fingers)
Play counting games

9. A big step with big feelings
I need to feel ready and eager, even if I also feel scared
Help me practice saying good-bye to you
Smile and show your enthusiasm
Be delighted to see me after school
Give me time to talk about my day and my new friends

10. Kindergarten Readiness
Ready?

11. Transitioning – pre-school to kindergarten
Kindergarten Readiness
Ready, Set, Go
Melissa Sharp
Director
Assumption Center Pre-School
Transitioning – pre-school to kindergarten

12. Preparing during the summer
Be Positive
Build confidence
You influence your child’s feelings
Children follow your lead
Read books…
Check out books from the Library

13. Suggested Books The Night Before Kindergarten, by Natash Wing
Tiptoe Into Kindergarten, by Jacqueline Rogers
Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!, by Nancy L. Carson
Welcome to Kindergarten, by Anne Rockwell
Timothy Goes to School, by Rosemary Wells
Will I have a Friend?, by Miriam Cohen
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate

14. Eating lunch independently
Pack a lunch & head to the playground
Have your child unwrap and eat independently
Walk through the steps: what’s first, second, etc.

15. Developing Social Skills
Decision Making
Fairness
Getting Attention
Problem Solving
Persistence – trial & error
Good Manners
Social Experiences
Playgroups
Go to the playground
Library story time
Group lessons and sports

16. Developing Social Skills
Sharing and taking turns
Following the leader
Resolving conflict
Learning independence
Visit the playground
Establish familiarity
Build confidence
Master “recess”

17. Preparing Academically: Fun while Learning
Read daily – interactive
Choose books of current interest
Increase number in one sitting
Ask questions
What do signs say?
Cut out words from ads
Familiar word books

18. Letters, Numbers, Writing, Fine Motor, Sounds

19. Fostering Independence
Practice dressing and tying shoes
Work independently
Use bathroom independently
Button pants, zip jacket, put on shoes

20. School Readiness Skills
Recognize name/letters
Print concepts
Colors and shapes
Body parts
2 step instructions
Cutting
Rhyming
Learning Games

21. Kindergarten Readiness
Set?

22. Kindergarten Readiness Grosse Pointe Public Schools
Ready, Set, Go
Pam Cronovich
Kindergarten Teacher
Grosse Pointe Public Schools

23. The start of your child’s formal education

24. The start of your child’s formal education
Expectations: parents & children
Positive talk about school
Make the setting familiar
Attend Spring round up
Practice walking to school
Give your child limited choices
Dress for Success
Establish Daily Routines

25. The start of your child’s formal education
Practice Bedtime Routine
Backpack by the by the door
Choose clothes and lay out
Read a bedtime story – 1 ?
Practice Morning Routines
Photo chart morning routine
Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast
Brush teeth, look at books…
Plan a “good-bye” Ritual
Loving but firm
Help child connect to the day
Reassure them you will see them

26. The start of your child’s formal education
Organization Minimizes Frustration
Choose a spot for coats, backpacks, lunchboxes
Set up a file box for papers
READ the information sent home
Help your child connect home and school
Connect homework to daily life/routine
Build curriculum connections

27. The start of your child’s formal education
Get Involved!
School Events
Conferences
Volunteer
Connect with Parents

28. Kindergarten Readiness
GO!

29. Kindergarten Readiness