How Does Play-Based Preschool Support Kindergarten Readiness?

Recently, Wooddale hosted a guest speaker to talk to our families about fostering the skills that prepare children to be successful in Kindergarten. Katie Nagel is a seasoned Kindergarten teacher currently leading the “Ready, Set, Kindergarten” program at Deephaven in Minnetonka. 

Katie shared her insights and experiences in getting kids ready for Kindergarten. She answered questions about what Kindergarten readiness really means and talked at length about how play-based preschool prepares children to transition into the classroom.

We hope this summary helps you support your child as they take this big step!

What Does Kindergarten Readiness Look Like?

Kindergarten has changed over the years. Instead of a half-day program several days a week–as many parents had when they were growing up– Kindergarten now entails a full day of school. The length of the day and rigorous academic expectations can seem overwhelming to parents sending kids into a structured school environment for the first time. So, what skills can we foster to help kids transition into Kindergarten as comfortably as possible?

First, Katie said, kids need to arrive at school with confidence and independence. This comes from having a good grasp of some of the basic life skills they’ll use every day. Important skills include:

• Being potty trained

• The ability to cover coughs and sneezes

• Good handwashing skills

• Being able to get dressed independently–tying or fastening shoes, zipping sweatshirts and jackets, knowing how to put on winter gear without help

• Opening food packaging

• Using scissors correctly

• Following simple, one or two-step directions

The next aspect of Kindergarten readiness is the ability to regulate their emotions. This includes things like:

• Separating from parents or caregivers without a great deal of anxiety

• Being able to wait their turn 

• Maintaining focus for the duration of a 5-10 minute activity

• Showing empathy for others–recognizing others’ needs are important, too

• Being able to ask for what they need

Finally, academic skills that are helpful when entering Kindergarten include:

• Letter recognition

• Recognizing 2D and some 3D shapes

• Counting up to 31

• Basic subtraction

These skills are not necessary to begin Kindergarten, but they can help your child confidently transition into school. The more self-assured your child feels in these skills, the better they’ll feel about going to school–and the less stress they’ll accumulate throughout the day.

What Can Parents Do to Support Kindergarten Readiness?

Parents play a significant role in a child’s Kindergarten readiness–and the answer isn’t to do more. In fact, Katie recommends that parents foster their child’s independence by letting them do more for themselves. 

“Never do anything for your child they can do for themselves,” Katie recommended. Instead of “rescuing” your child from their frustration, give them tools to manage it, solve the problem, and keep trying. 

This simple piece of advice can greatly impact your child’s independence and self-esteem. Creating an enriching, empowering home environment that supports physical and emotional well-being is essential. 

Here are six things you can do to actively support your child’s overall health and school readiness.

1. Prioritize sleep: Stick to a regular bedtime and nap routine that allows your child to get the sleep they need. Preschool-aged children require 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.

2. Use natural consequences in your discipline: If your child makes a mess, have them clean it up. If they hurt someone, have them ask the injured person how they can help make it right. 

3. Develop a routine: Children thrive on structure and routine, so follow a schedule as much as possible. Use visual clues to talk about what will happen during your day and review it often. Discuss changes to your plan ahead of time whenever possible. 

4. Encourage fine motor skills: Give your kids many opportunities to strengthen their hands and fingers so they’ll have the stamina for the copious writing they’ll do in Kindergarten. Give them Legos, play dough, beads, tweezers, crayons, and snap-together blocks to help them refine these skills.

5. Limit screen time: Passive entertainment can keep kids occupied, but it should be limited. Kids should spend very little time in front of screens, including iPads, TVs, and phones. Allow kids to be “bored” so that they can find ways to entertain themselves and develop their imaginations and creativity. 

6. Talk to your kids: This one seems deceivingly simple, but it can help boost their vocabulary and understanding of the world. Talk about what you’re doing, point out letters and shapes you see as you go about your day, and have them suggest rhyming words as you’re out and about (“I see a car–what rhymes with car? Far, tar, jar–what else?”). These simple conversations can help them develop Kindergarten readiness skills.

Getting ready for Kindergarten isn’t something that happens over a short period just before school begins. Instead, much of it occurs naturally throughout a child’s early years in small moments and opportunities each day. 

How Does Play-Based Preschool Get Kids Ready for Kindergarten?

At Wooddale, we see Kindergarten readiness developing every day. The four of us will often talk about the leaps in development we’re seeing in our students throughout the year, and it makes us so proud and grateful to be part of this process.

Play-based preschool is different than academic programs in many ways. First, play-based preschool focuses heavily on a child’s social and emotional development. While we do weave academics into our school day, we do it through play. Kids learn simple math through songs and games. We introduce letters with songs, puppets, games, and our famous “letter box.” 

Our classrooms are full of games, toys, art supplies, and activities that help kids build strength in their hands. The kids use scissors, crayons, play dough, and paintbrushes to create art each day. They listen to stories, practice standing in lines, and learn to follow simple directions. They learn how to join a group of friends, ask a grown-up for help, and manage conflict with their peers. 

Katie talked a lot about how children must feel confident separating from their parents and develop a love of school so that they can really shine in Kindergarten. We take that job very seriously–and have a lot of fun doing it!--because we know that many of our kids are having their first school experience at Wooddale.

Our school is a comfortable, supportive place where kids have many positive and loving interactions with their teachers and peers each day. We know that our play-based curriculum and warm environment can give kids the confidence and skills they need to be successful in school because we see it every day!

Learn More About Play-Based Preschool

Teachers Sue, Julie, Christina, and Karita are happy to answer any questions you have about our supportive play-based preschool program. Reach out to us to schedule a tour or register online today!