Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Getting Ready for Kindergarten
The data is in—and we can now put some numbers on the exact toll the pandemic has taken on our youngest learners. We feared that the pandemic would exacerbate an already significant delay in kindergarten readiness. Prior to 2020, we knew that 60-percent of children started Kindergarten without the skills necessary to learn, due to low quality preschool enrollment. U.S. Census data is now telling us that preschool enrollment is down 25-percent, and Kindergarten enrollment is down 7-percent from pre-pandemic levels.
This is alarming, as preschool enrollment and age-appropriate skill acquisition was already dangerously low. What does this mean for new learning? Anecdotally, Kindergarten teachers and Kindergarten occupational therapists and physical therapists are reporting an average delay of three to six months, and up to 12 months in many cases. Some teachers report that children are starting Kindergarten having never held a book, a crayon, or a pair of child safety scissors. Some Kindergarten teachers report that children do not know their parents’ first names, or what town they live in, or how to stand in a line, raise their hand, or wait their turn. These are difficult skills to teach in the absence of pre-school child care or other social situations. Many enriching experiences that children used to enjoy—such as hands-on museums, storytime at the library, and craft hour at recreation centers—have been put on hold for the past two years. Data is showing that this void is taking a true toll.
Kindergarten readiness skills include more than just knowing the A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s. The soft skills of saying “please” and “thank you,” walking in a line with other children, staying in their own space, and taking turns are often learned organically through social situations. Young children are missing out on these important social situations. Parents need support now more than ever to help their children be successful learners in Kindergarten.
We at STEM Starts Now have been interviewing parents, children, Preschool teachers, and Kindergarten teachers. From that research, we have put together our Countdown to Kindergarten Box. We made a list of the most important Kindergarten readiness skills, based on early learning standards, and created activities that allow children to practice those necessary skills in the six months leading up to Kindergarten. We then curated all of the most important tools, accessories, and materials to help children practice these key activities, and included them all in our box.
These boxes are currently being piloted in several local elementary schools, and we are optimistic that the Countdown to Kindergarten Box will be a useful intervention to help children get on track for Kindergarten, as the included booklet informs parents of all of the necessary skills to address—from social skills, to letter recognition, to how to tie a shoe and hold a pencil.
So, how can parents ensure that their child is Kindergarten ready if they’re not in a school district that is currently piloting the Countdown to Kindergarten Box? Here are a few useful tips:
Read a book to your child every single day. Ask your child how they feel about the story and have them name the feelings of the characters—i.e. “He is sad because he dropped his ice cream cone.”
Point out letters and numbers everywhere—in signs along the road, words on clothing, cereal boxes, and on television. Talk about the sounds the letters make.
Provide crayons, Play-Doh, lacing cards, puzzles, child safety scissors, and glue sticks to build fine motor skills. Provide balls, wiffle ball bats, and trips to the playground to help your child develop their large muscle skills.
Take advantage of the resources in your community. Expose your child to social situations such as storytime, playdates, Bible School, and activities at recreation centers, so that they can practice social skills. If your child is usually at home with you, start having your child practice separating from you by staying with a friend or babysitter.
Take advantage of the opportunities at your elementary school. Start to familiarize your child with the school they will attend for Kindergarten by attending events like storytime with the Principal or playing on the school playground on the weekends.
Practice self-help skills like tying their shoes, taking their coat on and off, and pulling up their pants.
Enlist the help of other parents, grandparents, and relatives to provide new learning experiences.
Remember, Kindergarten readiness is not the responsibility of the child or just the child’s parents. A ready community, plus a ready school, plus a ready family, equals a ready child.
By Aimee E. Ketchum
