Parenting Pointers - Kindergarten Readiness

As we enter the back-to-school season, parents are busy checking off everything their children need to know before kindergarten but knowing their ABCs and 123s may not be the best measure of whether a child is actually ready for the classroom.

Elizabeth Fraley, founder of Kinder Ready, a personalized kindergarten-readiness and private-school preparation program that assesses children's academic, social and emotional development and uses those insights to guide individualized learning, and a former kindergarten teacher, says social and emotional readiness can be just as important as academic skills and there are several signs parents can look for before the first day. Her expertise has been featured by outlets including the LA Times, The Hollywood Reporter, CBS, and SFGATE, as well as Hallmark’s Home & Family.

I had a chance to interview her to learn more.

Besides academic readiness, what are some of the social and emotional skills a child should have before kindergarten?

There are many readiness skills that children entering kindergarten should know such as how to transition into starting or ending the school day. Oftentimes, entering a new school or environment requires some adjustment. Parents can talk to their children about the transition into kindergarten. Reading books that discuss bravery, independence, and growing up is key for children to understand the changes and cope with them accordingly. For example, the book, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a great example of a raccoon that will begin school and how the baby and mother raccoon navigate that change. 

Using literacy to create moments of understanding and learning social skills is advantageous for both teachers and families. Second, prepare your child for problem solving. They may be trying something new like learning to read or solving a problem on the playground when something doesn't go their way. Children need opportunities to problem solve independently. At school, particularly in kindergarten they will face scenarios requiring flexible thinking and problem-solving skills. 

How can emotional readiness impact academic readiness?

Emotional readiness and academic readiness are deeply intertwined. Teachers and parents should strive to develop social skills in the early years so children can regulate, solve problems, and take on new learning seamlessly. It is more important to have a child that is emotionally well-adjusted and has developed social skills than a child that knows all the content but can't regulate or follow directions. Learning is much more challenging for the child, family, teacher, and classroom when social skills have not been developed and addressed. Early intervention in social skills is paramount for a successful transition into an academic based learning environment, which we find in kindergarten today. 

What are some signs a child isn't ready for the transition?

Children who have difficulty sitting for 15-20 minute increments.

Children who are reserved or unable to make social connections.

Children who cannot consistently follow simple one step directions consistently. 

What can families practice at home before school starts to help them prepare for kindergarten routines?

Families can work on sleep schedules ahead of going back to school. 

Families can get the school schedule ahead of time and discuss the layout of the academic day with your child. Families can take advantage of summer mixers, socials, and Back To School nights ahead of time to meet teachers, visit the schools, and engage with families that will be attending the school for a smooth transition. As summer vacations wind down and the return to school approaches, children can work on simple writing or drawing tasks, review letters and numbers, and practice following simple directions. Enlist a rising first grader buddy to help your child learn about the year ahead. Kids love to connect with and learn from others.   

How can families specifically address helping children become more comfortable with separation?

Children and families can take advantage of summer programs ahead of school, allowing the child to experience a new learning setting. Continue reading books about separation both for parents and children. An excellent read about separation for parents is The Connected Goodbye by Sarah Gordon. Parents can discuss the drop off on the first day of school, describing what it will look like and feel like. Children may benefit from a stuffed animal or a picture book of  family pictures to bring some familiarity to a new situation of separation.  Children may also benefit from a social story that describes the drop-off, mentioning that Mom and Dad will "be back to bring me home" at the end." Pictures in the story showing the child going though the steps in their day, will also help them realize that there will be time at school with teachers and friend and evening time with family at home.