As an occupational therapist working with young learners, I’ve seen firsthand how the right preparation can make a tremendous difference in a child’s kindergarten experience. Today, let’s explore practical strategies to help your child develop the foundational skills they’ll need for reading, writing, and overall kindergarten success.
Building Pre-Reading Skills Through Daily Life
Reading readiness starts long before your child opens their first school book. Research shows that developing phonological awareness—the ability to recognize and work with sounds in spoken language—is crucial for early reading success. Here are some natural ways to incorporate pre-reading activities into your daily routine:
- Make grocery shopping an educational adventure by having your child help find items that start with specific letters
- Play rhyming games during car rides or while waiting in line
- Point out environmental print (signs, logos, labels) during your daily activities
- Create a print-rich home environment with labeled storage bins and accessible books
Take the Struggle Out of Reading at Home
I highly recommend this mini-course! Nothing beats a habit of reading!
🤓 the importance of self-esteem in reading
🤓 how to understand what part of the reading process your child is struggling with
🤓 how to take the power struggle out of reading at home
🤓 how to build a family reading practice that feels good
🤓 how to choose the right book
🤓 daily strategies to support reading and self-esteem – i.e. GAMES! 🤸♀️
▲ I highy recommend ▲
Developing Writing Readiness
Writing involves much more than just holding a pencil. Before mastering letter formation, children need to develop:
- Core strength and posture control
- Shoulder and arm stability
- Fine motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Visual perception
Consider these engaging activities to build writing foundations:
- Encourage drawing and coloring with various tools (crayons, markers, chalk)
- Practice pre-writing shapes through sensory activities like drawing in sand or shaving cream
- Strengthen hand muscles through play dough, threading beads, and using tweezers
- Set up art stations that allow for vertical surface work to build shoulder strength
I always recommend this book for friends and family with kids in this age range. ▼
Kindergarten Success Starts Here
An Expert Guide for Parents
- Written by an experienced kindergarten teacher
- Covers academic, social AND emotional readiness
- Practical, inexpensive preparation activities
- Builds language skills and independence
- Tips for communicating with teachers
- Resources for English-learning families
- Includes teacher-tested read-aloud recommendations
- Builds confidence before this major milestone
Creating a Learning-Ready Environment
Success in kindergarten extends beyond academic skills. Focus on developing:
- Independent self-care skills (managing bathroom needs, opening lunch containers)
- Following multi-step directions
- Maintaining attention during structured activities
- Social skills and emotional regulation
- Organizational skills and responsibility for belongings