Inside: How can you get your child ready for kindergarten? This post shares some simple ways to get ready for kindergarten through play!
Getting ready for kindergarten can be fun! So many skills can be taught through play!
RELATED: Starting kindergarten in the Fall? Here are 13 Tips for first time kindergarten parents.
What do I need to prepare for kindergarten?
There are so many different opinions on the skills that children need work on to prepare for kindergarten.
Here are a few skills that I think are important for kids to work on as they prepare for kindergarten:
- Self help skills (putting on his own coat, unpacking his own lunch, opening her water bottle, etc.)
- Fine motor skills (zipping, buttoning, pre-writing skills like drawing lines and coloring)
- Sitting and listening to a book read aloud
- Participating in and following simple routines
- Language skills (communicating with others- kids and adults)
- Social skills (making friends, being a good friend, taking turns, etc.)
- Basic learning skills (knowing name, alphabet letters, numbers, etc.)
To help your child get prepared for kindergarten, I have teamed up with five fabulous bloggers to bring you the Get Ready for Kindergarten Through Play series this summer. If your little one isn't ready for this yet, just pin it and file it away for a few years down the road. It is going to be fantastic and filled with fun and playful learning ideas!
RELATED: Ready for Kindergarten by Deborah Stewart is one of my favorite books to help kids get ready for kindergarten.
The Get Ready for Kindergarten Through Play series will focus on activities that develop the thinking, social, emotional, motor and learning skills your child needs to be successful in school.
Goal: Use this post as your guide. Pick one or two activities to try each week for eight weeks.
Here's the schedule:
Week 1 - Language
Week 2 - Social & Emotional Skills
Week 3 - Independence Skills
Week 4 - Math Concepts
Week 5 - Books, Reading & Literacy
Week 6 - Fine Motor & Writing Skills
Week 7 - Alphabet & Phonics
Week 8 - Ready to Learn Skills
My wonderful partners include Megan from Coffee Cups and Crayons, Vicky from Mess for Less, Cerys of Rainy Day Mum, MaryAnne of Mama Smiles and our organizer, Bern from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas.
You can find even more learning ideas on our Get Ready for K Through Play Pinterest Board.
I hope you find that this series is useful to you and your child... either now or in the future!
Week 1: Language
- Developing Kindergarten Language Skills from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- Create a Story Box with Free Printables from Mess for Less
- Language Experience Stories from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Play to Promote Language Development from Mama Smiles
- Using Puppets for Language Development from Toddler Approved
Week 2: Social Skills
- 5 Ideas for a Successful Playtime with Friends from Toddler Approved
- Teacher Says! A Following Directions & Listening Game from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Social and Emotional Skills for Children from Mama Smiles
- Helping the Shy Child Prepare for Kindergarten from Mess for Less
- Fun Games to Promote Sharing & Turn Taking from Rainy Day Mum
- Top 5 Social Skills for Kindergarten Readiness from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Week 3: Independent Skills
- 3 Independence Skills Your Child Needs for Kindergarten by Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Everyday Ways to Foster Independence Skills by Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- Teaching Kids Independence: Learning How to Ask For and Offer Help by Mama Smiles
- Practicing Independence at Home by Mess for Less
- Transition Time: Teaching Kids To Successfully Move From One Activity to Another by Toddler Approved
- Getting Out the Door: Helping Develop Independence by Rainy Day Mum
Week 4 - Math Concepts
- Snack Time Math Practice by Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Fostering Kindergarten Math Skills through Play by Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- 3 Playful Ways to Learn Math by Mama Smiles
- Post-It Math Games by Mess for Less
- Pool Time Math Fun by Toddler Approved
- Number Prints by Rainy Day Mum
Week 5 - Books, Reading & Literacy
- How to Read Aloud to Your Child by Coffee Cups and Crayons
- 10 Early Readers for Beginning Readers by Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- Help Your Child Learn to Read by Mama Smiles
- Sensory Sight Word Games by Mess for Less
- Blowing Down Sight Words by Toddler Approved
- Bringing Books Alive by Rainy Day Mum
Week 6 - Fine Motor & Writing Skills
- Scissor Practice Tips for Preschoolers by Coffee Cups and Crayons
- 5 Playful Ways to Develop Fine Motor Skills by Mama Smiles
- Fine Motor Practice with Straws by Mess for Less
- Fine Motor Skills Crafts for Kids by Toddler Approved
- Simple Fine Motor Activities for Home by Rainy Day Mum
- 55 Ways to Make Handwriting Practice Fun by Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Week 7 - Alphabet & Phonics
- 20 Alphabet & Phonics activities for kids by Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- Walk the Word: A Gross Motor Phonics Game by Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Learning Letters and their Sounds by Mama Smiles
- Water Balloon Phonics Game by Mess for Less
- Active Alphabet Activities by Toddler Approved
- Chalk Letters by Rainy Day Mum
Week 8 - Ready to Learn Skills
- 10 Ways to Help Kids Get Ready to Learn by Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- 10 Ways to Ease Kindergarten Anxiety by Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Scholastic Success by Mama Smiles
- Establishing a Bedtime Routine for Back to School by Mess for Less
- Creating an After School Routine by Toddler Approved
- Setting Up a Homework Station by Rainy Day Mum
Do you have any other favorite resources to help kids get ready for kindergarten? Please share!
Thank you to My Cute Graphics for the use of the superhero kids graphic.
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