Activities for Your Incoming Kindergartner
Kindergarten is a busy year for your child. So much learning and growing
takes place during this important year. Below you will find some
suggestions of things you can begin doing now to help give your child the
best start possible.
1. Read to Your Child Every Day. It sounds like such a simple task,
but reading is the most important thing you can do with your child. Reading
helps your child develop concepts of print, vocabulary, and a better
attention span. It also allows your child to ask questions and make
observations. Most importantly, it helps your child develop a love of books.
2. Establish a Bedtime Routine. Research indicates children need
between ten and twelve hours of sleep a night. Getting your child in the
habit now will help your child be well rested for his/her kindergarten day.
3. Expose Your Child to Peers. Many of today’s kindergartners attend
preschools where they learn to interact with their peers. Other ways to
help your child develop social skills with children his/her age include
going to the park, story time at the library or organizing play dates.
4. Work on the “Basics.” Knowing how to write his/her name is one of
the first things a kindergartner needs to know in August. Other suggestions
of things to work on before school starts include address, phone number,
birth date, counting, color recognition, and shape recognition.
5. Encourage Good Conversation Skills. So much of learning in
kindergarten is done through discussion. Helping your child learn how to
ask and answer questions is important. Encourage your child to talk about
pictures in a book. Ask your child what may happen next in the story. Have
conversations with your child about the world around them while driving in
the car or going on walks. Having conversations around the dinner table
helps your child to learn to take turns and respond appropriately.
6. Make Learning Fun. At St. John School, we know that kindergartners
learn best when they are having fun. Children are going to be more involved
in learning if they view it as a game. Some suggestions include:
a. Put letter or number cards out and have your child follow them as a
treasure trail or obstacle course.
b. Go on a nature walk and collect items as you go. Your child can
count and sort the items when you get home.
c. Write names, letters, or numbers on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk
or paint.
d. Allow your child to practice his/her phone number by calling your
home and leaving a message.
e. Have your child mail a picture or letter to another family member in
your home to work on addresses. You could also have your child mail home
postcards to him/herself from vacation spots.
f. Play with playdough with letter or number shaped cookie cutters.
g. Work on fine motor skills, counting, sorting, and patterning by
stringing beads.
h. Play with puzzles.
i. Make place tags for a “special” family dinner.
j. Play hopscotch with numbers written in the boxes. Change the
numbers to letters for another version.
We know that you, as parents, are the first and most important teachers in
your child’s life. We at St. John School feel privileged to work with you
and your child as they continue their educational journey. If you have
questions about this information or the upcoming kindergarten year, please
do not hesitate to contact Ms. Fewins at fewins@saint-johns.net.