Parent Guide to Kindergarten

Establishing routines at home helps children feel secure and prepared for a successful day at school. Here are some key routines your child will practice in Kindergarten:

• Sitting at the Carpet: Practice sitting on the floor calmly during story time or family activities to build focus and listening skills.
• Sitting at the Desk: Encourage your child to stay seated during meals or quiet activities to prepare for focused work time.
• Lining Up: Practice standing in a line at the grocery store, keeping body to self, and waiting patiently when transitioning from one activity to another.
• Lunch Routine: Let your child practice opening containers and packaging, scooping their own food, eating independently, and cleaning up to prepare for lunchtime at school.

Support your child’s academic success in Kindergarten by practicing these key school skills:

• Raising Hands: Teach your child to wait their turn and role play raising their hand to share ideas or ask questions. This supports listening and classroom respect.
• Writing My Name: Help your child practice writing their name. Start with the first letter and practice one letter at a time. Let them trace the letters if needed. This builds confidence and fine motor strength.
• Counting: Count everyday objects together—like steps, toys, or snacks—to help your child develop number sense and early math skills.

Strong social skills help your child build friendships, work well with others, and thrive in a classroom setting. Here are important skills to support at home:

• Sharing: Encourage your child to take turns with toys, materials, and space. Talk about how sharing helps everyone have fun.
• Taking Turns: Practice turn-taking during games and conversations. Use simple phrases like “Your turn, then my turn.”
• Following Directions: Give your child clear, simple instructions and praise them for listening and following through.

Fine motor skills help your child complete everyday tasks independently and succeed with classroom activities. Help your child develop confidence and independence by practicing these everyday skills:

• Tying Shoes: Practice together at home to help your child master this important task.
• Zipping Coats: Encourage your child to try zipping independently before asking for help.
• Opening Snacks: Let your child practice opening common snack packages to build independence during snack time.
• Cutting with Scissors: Supervise as your child practices using scissors safely and accurately on straight and curved lines.
• Using Glue: Teach your child to squeeze gently and use “just a dot, not a lot” when gluing.