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Tacoma Public Schools

A Family's Guide to Kindergarten Readiness

Use these tips and videos to help you prepare your child for kindergarten.

Reading Readiness

Reading Readiness

Help your child practice writing their name by using magnetic letters, clay, or shaving cream.
Look for letters and words on real-world objects such as cereal boxes, signs, magazines... Watch video
Sing songs. Songs have different notes for each syllable in a word, so children can hear the different sounds in words.
Say nursery rhymes and make up your own silly, nonsense rhymes.
Play word games such as, “What sounds like ‘ran’?” or “What starts with the same sound as ‘ball’?
Let your child hold the book and turn the pages while you are reading together. Watch video
Read a book that you have read before. Switch what you do—you be the listener and let your child tell you the story. Watch video

Math Readiness

Math Readiness

Explore outdoors for shapes and colors.
At the grocery store, go on a circle hunt and have your child find all of the circles they can.
Look for numbers on appliances, in stores, or in books. Watch video
Count out-loud with your child while waiting for something to cook or while stopped at a red light.
Count the stairs, shoes, keys and other things you use or see every day. Watch video
Sing songs that rhyme, repeat, or have numbers in them.
Ask your child to find objects around the house or in books that are the same. Watch video

Social and Emotion Readiness

Social and Emotional Readiness

Help your child learn how to relax and calm self. Watch video
Model fair ways to take turns and share.
Model comforting a child who is hurt or upset.
Have your child practice small chores around the house after you have provided multiple step directions. Watch video
Play question and answer games that inspire your child’s curiosity.
By giving kids a chance to fail, also give them the pleasure of succeeding on their own. Watch video

Language Readiness