I am always asked by parents how they can make sure their child is ready to enter kindergarten. When I screen my incoming students for the year, I have a list of items I am looking for to help me understand what the child already knows. The activities I am sharing below are easy ways to help prepare your child before they enter kindergarten and help set them up for success! Make sure to download the free kindergarten checklist printables here too!
Helping your child recognize upper and lowercase letters is easy! Download and print the alphabet template and attach to a cookie sheet. Children can use the upper or lowercase plastic magnetic letters and match them up. Have your child say the name of each letter as they place it on the template. Once they master the letter names, have your child say the sound the letter makes as they place it on the mat.
Learning the names of the basic shapes is important before your child comes to kindergarten. Shapes are not only useful when learning about them during Math, but they are very helpful for children who are trying to find words to describe something. I love that this Shapes Magnetic Activity Set helps children match and name the shapes, and not just the four basic shapes, but some of the ones that really open a child's eyes! Reuse the same cookie sheet from the alphabet activity above so children can match the shape magnets that come with this set. You can also download the shapes activity sheet and have your child trace them with Crayola crayons to help them practice drawing shapes as well.
Helping a child write their own name before coming to kindergarten gives them an instant boost in self-confidence! It can be tiring to write your name over and over, so these two activities will help make it a little bit more fun! First, letting your child write their name in sand (or shaving cream) gives their little fingers the feedback they need to remember correct letter formation. Using the Word Formation Sand Tray, gives your child a chance to practice writing their name in a fun, tactile way! Download the name writing practice page here and give your child a box of Crayola crayons! Let them "rainbow write" their name for a fun twist!
Another skill that kindergarten teachers love for children to enter school knowing is how to count at least to 10 and recognize numbers to 10 (or even 20!). The Fish Bowl Counting Math Mats help children practice one-to-one correspondence, where they learn that the number 5 equals a group of 5 objects. With these mats, children can also practice writing the word and the number with a Dry Erase Marker. Applying those numbers to a fun game like BINGO also helps them be able to recognize numbers quickly! Download the BINGO style game and cut apart the calling cards. Have your child use the fish from the Fish Bowl Counting Math Mats activity (or coins) to play BINGO!
Children also need to have some experience with using a pencil, crayon, dough, or marker before coming to kindergarten. Both of these activities will help your child develop good fine motor skills. First, download the shape mats and place them in a Dry Erase Pocket or under some plastic wrap or in a clear plastic bag. Have them use Neon Dynamite Dough and roll the dough into a long skinny "snake". Use that snake to create each shape and place it on the mat. Children can also practice fine motor skills by tracing the lines and shapes on this fine motor practice page. We used the very popular Mr. Sketch Scented Markers to trace our lines!
