Are you ready for kindergarten?

Apr 22

I get asked by lots of parents — "Is my child ready for kindergarten?” And I completely understand the concern. Starting kindergarten marks a big moment for your little one, and as a parent, you're right there, experiencing this exciting part of their early childhood learning.

Feeling the Kindergarten Jitters?

If you’re thinking…

"What should my child already be able to do for the first day of school?"

"What can I do to help my little one get ready for kindergarten?”

…just know, it's totally normal for these thoughts to be swirling around in your head.

Kindergarten Readiness: Age Cutoffs in the U.S.

Many school districts in the United States focus on their own early childhood policies with age cutoffs set by specific dates. And some leave it up to the parents.

Either way, if you’re wondering about the best time for your child to start kindergarten, you’re not alone.

And I want you to feel empowered to make the best decision for your little one's start to kindergarten.

Kindergarten Success: Beyond Academics

As a former kindergarten teacher, I can tell you, kindergarten success for your child isn't just about academics. And I know most kindergarten teachers would agree with me here.

In fact, it’s only a little about academic readiness and more about these other areas of child development:

Self care
Social—emotional skills
Communication skills

Let me share with you the heart of what really counts for your child to be set for kindergarten. Check out the next blog post in this series.

For more tips and insights to nurture lifelong learners, hop over to my Instagram page.

And, don't forget to explore episodes on the podcast, Play On Words, where you’ll hear more about making learning fun and accessible for all.

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I’m the founder of BCR, host of the Play on Words podcast, a consultant for the Chicago Public Library, and more! On the blog, I regularly share my tips, insights, and knowledge on early literacy.