Kindergarten Readiness Guide

kindergarten shelves with books and stuffed animals and %22read%22 sign

All children grow at their own pace. They all have unique strengths and skills to work on!

Use this guide as a resource to identifying opportunities to learn and grow. Students will continue to work on these skills in kindergarten!

Independence and Health Skills to Develop Before Starting School

Uses the toilet, washes hands, and blows nose independently.
Packs backpack and puts on coat and shoes independently.
Opens snack and food containers and eats independently.
Start a consistent bedtime and morning routine before school starts.

If you have concerns about your child's development, talk to your preschool teacher, pediatrician, or contact Issaquah ChildFind at 425-837-7197 / childfind@issaquah.wednet

Kindergarten Timeline of Events

Click here to view Kindergarten Registration Events for the school year

Kindergarten Readiness Areas

Social and Emotional Development

Early Literacy

Language and Communication

Mathematical Thinking

How can I help my child prepare for kindergarten?

Get to Know Your School

Be Ready for the School Day

Help your child build independence and master these skills before school.
Using the bathroom independently
Washing hands –make sure to scrub for about 20 seconds!
Opening food containers and eating lunch within 20 minutes, without prompting
Putting on footwear – if they are unable to tie laces, slip-ons or Velcro are great!
Putting on a coat – practice buttoning or zippering up
Kids need energy to learn, play, and manage emotions. Ensure they are getting enough sleep (9-12 hours) and start their day with a nutritious breakfast.
Consistent bedtime and morning routine – get this started before school starts
Help your child have a good day!
- Positive Strategies for Families (English)
- Positive Strategies for Families (Spanish)
- Positive Strategies for Families (Somali)
- Positive Strategies for Families (Hmong)
- Positive Strategies for Families (Ojibwe)

Set Expectations

Be a role model by showing your child a positive attitude about school and learning.
Talk with your child about going to kindergarten and answer any questions they might have.
Talk about how you expect them to behave at school and the importance of respecting teachers, students, and other staff.
Read a social story about expectations and rules with your child. The below resource link gives an opportunity to review a social story "Going to School".
- Social Story - "Going to school" English
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Historia Social - "Vamos a la escuela" (Español) 
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Practice Skills at Home

Read to your child and tell stories daily – in English and/or your home language!
Find the math in daily experiences (count, sort, name shapes, compare object, etc.)! Count or sort toys, laundry, food items...anything and everywhere!
- Learn more about the many opportunities to engage in math during your daily routines!
Teach your child their full name and practice writing their first name.
Use everyday situations to practice taking turns, sharing, and following routines.
Get plenty of exercise and spend time outdoors every day!
Talk about feelings and help with calm-down strategies (such as taking deep breaths or counting). Help them use words to name feelings and solve problems.
Encourage them to solve problems independently (try different ways). If needed, help them come up with solutions. Celebrate their efforts when they keep trying when things feel hard!
Help children understand the steps to problem solving with this social story. Includes problem scenario activity to help children practice finding solutions to common social problems.
- We Can Be Problem Solvers at Home! (English)
- We Can Be Problem Solvers at Home! (Spanish)
- We Can Be Problem Solvers at Home! (Somali)
- We Can Be Problem Solvers at Home! (Hmong)
- We Can Be Problem Solvers at Home! (Ojibwe)

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