This document provides information about the benefits of kindergarten, tips for communicating between parents and teachers, checklists to prepare for the first day of kindergarten, and skills children need before entering kindergarten. Kindergarten helps children develop literacy, math, social, and motor skills. The document recommends regular communication between parents and teachers and checking that children can follow instructions, recognize letters and numbers, hold a pencil, and get along with others. It also lists recommended apps to support learning at home.

1. “All children need and deserve a good start. Attending high quality early childhood
programs is an important part of starting early and starting right.”- Dennis Van Roekel,
National Education Association President
Benefits of Kindergarten
Kindergarteners learn the English language and get to sharpen their reading skills.
Kindergarteners learn math concepts
Kindergarten encourages the use of technology
Kindergarten sharpens reading skills
Kindergarteners are introduced to Social Studies
Kindergarten improves social, emotional, literacy, numeracy and language
development

2. Kindergarten Preparation for the First Day
For more tips visit: http://center.serve.org/tt/fp_tips.html
Communication: Parent, Child and Teacher
Communication between Parent and Child
Let him/her know you care about his/her feelings.
(Share an experience with your child where you felt
that same feeling)
Make sure you voice and face show interest.
Communication between Parent and Teacher
Call, write notes or e-mail your child’s teacher
regularly for updates
Volunteer in the classroom, school or for field trips
Ask questions about how your child is doing in school
Find out how you can help your child at home to help
your child succeed
Preparation Checklist for Parents/ Families
My child:
□ Gets plenty of rest.
□ Eats a balanced diet
□ Receives regular medical and dental care and
has had all the necessary immunizations.
□ Is learning to write his/her name and address.
□ Has access to books and other reading materials
□ Is learning to identify shapes and colors
□ Runs, jumps, plays outdoors.
□ Is learning to use self-control
Example: “Jacob, it’s not okay for you to hit Sam. I
can see you are angry that he took the toy car, but
we treat people with respect. Use your words and
say what you need.”
Before the First Day
Emergency Contacts: Make sure to have a list of at least 3 up to date contacts the school can call in case of
an emergency.
School Personnel: Write the names/numbers of the teacher, principal, counselor, etc. to contact when
necessary throughout the school year.
Meet the teacher: Plan to meet the teacher on the first day of school or attend an open house.
Transportation Plans: Make sure your child knows how he/she will be commuting to both school and
home.
School Supplies: The supply list is usually provided before or on the first day. Make sure to get necessary
products to help your child’s success.
Meal Plan: Determine whether your child will eat school lunch or pack a lunch from home.
Parent Organizations: Look into which parent organizations are at your child’s school by visiting the school
website

3. Is my child ready for kindergarten?
Important skills children need before entering kindergarten
Can my child listen to instructions and then follow them?
Why important? Children need these skills to function in class, to keep up with the teacher and
with their peers.
Activity: Ask your child to do 3 jumping jacks, and then clap 4 times
Can he/she recite the alphabet and count?
Why important? Most kindergarten teachers assume that a child has at least a rudimentary
familiarity with the ABCs and numbers though these subjects will be covered as part of the
kindergarten curriculum.
Activity: Ask your child to sing the ABCs. Listen to how your child recites each letter. Are the
letters in order? Is your child’s pronunciation accurate?
Next, ask your child to count from either, 0 to 10 or 0-20. Depending on how well your child can
count, you can exceed 20.
Can he/she hold a pencil? Cut with scissors?
Why important? He/she will need these fine motor skills to begin working on writing the
alphabet and to keep up with classroomprojects.
Activity: Using a table, pencil, scissors and paper, lay a pencil on the paper. Ask your child to
pick up the pencil and draw a circle. After the circle is drawn ask the child to cut the circle out.
*From this activity you can see how your child holds a pencil and if he/she can cut with scissors.
Does he/she show an interest in books? Does he try to "read" a book by telling a story
based on the pictures?
Why important? This is a sign that his/her language development is on a par with other
kindergartners and that s/he's ready to start learning how to read.
Activity: Free app- Read Me Stories
Is he/she curious and receptive to learning new things?
Why important? If a child's curiosity is stronger than his/her fear of the unfamiliar, he/she will
do well in school.
Activity: Introduce your child to a new book, food, animal, or plant that he/she may not know
about. Listen to the questions asked as well as interest/ curiosity shown by your child.
Does he/she get along well with other kids? Does he/she share and know how to take
turns?
Why important? He/she'llbe interacting with other children all day, so your child's social skills
are particularly important for success in school.
Activity: Watch your child interact with other children at the park, recreation center, etc. See if
he/she is taking turns. If not, talk to your child about the importance of being kind and taking
turns.

4. Apps-Reading, Math, Science, Writing, Shapes,
Colors and Story telling
Devices/ Where to download
The Big Reading Show Free- iOS users
Funbrain Jr.! (Ages 2 and up) Free-iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Spelling Tree test (Ages 5 and up) Free- Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Poptropica (Ages 5 and up) Free- iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Pre-School and Kindergarten Splash Math Free-iPad
Colors Free-Android
Plum’s Photo Hunt Free
Download-App Store
Kid Mode: Play = Learn (Ages 2-8) Free-Android
Imagistory (Ages 3+) Free
Download-App Store
Monster Heart Medic Free
Download-App Store
My Backpack Free
Download- App Store
Tiggly Chef Free
Download-App Store
Play Sight Words Free
Download- iTunes App Store, Google Play
Reading Rainbow app Free-iOS users
Download-Amazon Kindle Fire
Leo’s Pad: Pre-School Learning Series Free
Download-iTunes
Tiny Hands Sorting 3 (Ages 3 and up) Free-iPad
Download-App Store
I Learn with Poko: Counting and Addition Free- iPad, iPhone
Download- App Store
I Learn with: Max and Ruby Science! Free-iPad, iPhone
Download- App Store
Endless Alphabet Free-Android
Download-Google Play
DK Readers Free-Android
Download- Google Play