Kindergarten Readiness Series: The First Step Toward a Confident Start

If you’ve just registered your child for kindergarten, or you’re gearing up to take that step next year, you are in the right place! Starting school is a big milestone, and while your child will learn plenty of new academic skills once the year begins, there are a few key things that can help before they ever step foot in the classroom!

That’s where our Kindergarten Readiness Series comes in! Think of it as your go-to guide for simple, playful ways to prepare your child for success. Paired with our Kindergarten Readiness Checklist, these activities are easy to do at home and help lay the foundation for learning, independence, and confidence. The checklist is a free, easy-to-use download designed to help you identify what skills your child may already be comfortable with—and what you might want to work on before school starts. Our Readiness Series walks hand-in-hand with the checklist, offering helpful tips, tricks, and activity ideas to support you as you work on each skill! While you can follow along with the Readiness Series on social media, let’s break down each part even further right here! 

Kindergarten Readiness Series

 

Part 1: Practice Properly Holding Scissors 

Materials: Child-safe scissors, permanent marker

Help your child build scissor confidence with this simple visual trick! Draw a smiley face on the part of the scissors facing them (between the thumb hole and blade) and an arrow pointing toward the blades to remind them to cut away from their body.

When they pick up the scissors, have them make a "thumbs up" to help with putting the scissos in hand correctly—they should be able to see the smiley face and follow the arrow. It’s a great way to develop fine motor skills while building independence!

 

Part 2: Practice Using Glue Properly 

Materials: Glue stick or glue bottle, paper, markers, optional printable crafts

Help your child get used to working with glue with these easy phrases:

• For glue sticks: “I twist, that’s it!” and remember the word "X-box" to show how much glue is just right—make a little box with an X inside!
  

• For glue bottles: Draw a smiley face on the cap so they know when it's closed. Teach them: “Just a dot, not a lot!”

Let them practice gluing with printable crafts or any scraps you have lying around!

Part 3: Name Scramble Fun 

Materials: Paper, scissors, pencil or marker

Write your child’s name on a strip of paper and cut out each letter. Mix them up and let your child reassemble the name! This builds name recognition, letter identification, and spelling all at once! It is super important that your child goes into kindergarten being able to recognize their own name! Being able to write it and know the letters in it are super helpful as well!

Part 4: Practice Proper Pencil Grip 

Materials: Pencil, small hair tie

This trick is a game-changer! Loop a hair tie around your child’s thumb and pointer finger, then twist it once in the middle to form a small opening. Place the pencil in the loop, and ta-da—the perfect grip! Great for building fine motor strength and writing control while training the hand and fingers to hold the pencil properly!

Part 5: Rainbow Name Writing

Materials: Paper, crayons or markers in multiple colors

Have your child practice writing their name over and over—but each time, switch colors! By the end, they’ll have a bright rainbow name that’s full of pride and progress. This is another fun idea for practicing name writing and recognition. 

Part 6: Letter Scramble Game 

Materials: Post-it notes or small pieces of paper, marker

Write each letter of the alphabet on a post-it. Let your child arrange them in ABC order—bonus points for singing the song as they go! You can also use the letters to practice spelling their name or simple words. 

 

Part 7: Practice the Lunch Routine 

Materials: Your child's lunch gear

Have your child practice opening containers, bags, and water bottles they'll use at school. Set a timer for 20–25 minutes to simulate lunchtime, and remind them to eat before chatting, or practice eating while socializing with their new friends—because lunch always flies by!

Part 8: Practice the Bus Routine 

Materials: Tag with child’s bus and classroom information, school bag

Talk your child through what to expect on the bus: waiting behind the curb, climbing the steps with the handrail, greeting the driver, and sitting all the way in their seat.

Make sure they know their bus number and where to find it on the bus! Also make sure to put a tag on their backpack with their bus number, full name and teacher’s name to make the first week smooth and safe!

 

You've Got This, and So Does Your Kid!

Starting kindergarten is a big moment—for both kids and parents. But with a little prep and a lot of encouragement, this transition can be joyful and exciting!

Our Kindergarten Readiness Series is just the beginning. Keep following along for more helpful tips and ideas on our Instagram and TikTok—and don’t forget to download our Kindergarten Readiness Checklist and our Free Digital Backpack full of activities and printables to make this journey even smoother!

We’re cheering you on every step of the way! Share your own tips and tricks with us, or show us you trying out these ones,  using #PlaygroundPressKids!