Five Things Your Child Should Know Before Starting Kindergarten
Parents often think the alphabet and counting are most important, but experts emphasize that independence, fine motor skills, and emotional stability are key to a successful transition.
Parents often think the alphabet and counting are most important, but experts emphasize that independence, fine motor skills, and emotional stability are key to a successful transition.
Starting kindergarten is a major milestone for the whole family, and parents often wonder if their little ones are ready for this step. Instead of knowing letters and numbers, educators and child development experts highlight a completely different set of skills that make daily life easier for children and boost their confidence. Scary Mommy spoke with a range of experts to find out what every child should know before entering kindergarten.
Educators are nearly unanimous: basic life skills like tying shoelaces, zipping up a jacket, or washing hands independently are absolute priorities. Kindergarten teacher Vanessa Davidek reveals how much time each day goes into helping children with their shoelaces. "I wish all children could tie their own shoes. We spend a huge amount of time on it every day. Often the laces are wet because the kids have been walking on them, which isn't a pleasant experience," she told Scary Mommy. She added that it would save precious time before heading outdoors if children could put on their own jackets.
Alongside practical skills, educators stress the importance of independence. Alexis Tardive from Stride, Inc. believes this is the most valuable trait a child can develop. "It's natural to want to help with every little task, but giving a child the opportunity to do something on their own is one of the greatest gifts you can give them," Tardive emphasizes. Simple daily routines, from getting dressed to taking care of their belongings, help children feel capable and ready for new challenges.
Child development specialist Sheila Fortson particularly highlights the courage to try new things. "The skill I wish every child had when entering kindergarten is confidence. More specifically, the courage to try something new without the fear of making mistakes," Fortson explains. She also warns that many children come with the pressure to do everything perfectly on the first try, which often holds them back.
Developing fine motor skills-the dexterity of the small muscles in the hands and fingers-is another key factor. Kindergarten teacher Samantha Stein notices a worrying trend. "I've noticed that more and more children are coming in without the hand strength and dexterity needed to hold a pencil, write letters, or even use utensils properly. This is largely because screen time has replaced practical activities that naturally strengthen those muscles," Stein says. As a solution, she recommends playing with LEGO bricks, playdough, beads, and cutting with scissors.
Amy Demont, another kindergarten teacher, adds to this by emphasizing the importance of proper pencil grip. "This is extremely important because the curriculum and writing skills progress very quickly. If they at least know how to hold and use a pencil correctly, it will be easier for them later in school. A bonus is if they can also write their own name," she advises.
Educator Elizabeth Fraley, with over 20 years of experience and founder of Kinder Ready, Inc., stresses the importance of emotional stability. "Without emotional intelligence, barriers to communication arise, and this can disrupt others in the classroom as well," Fraley explains. She adds that children should know behavioral rules, be able to help a friend, and not give up when trying something new. For instance, when a child in kindergarten cannot recognize or express their frustration, it can escalate into conflicts with other children or withdrawal, making it harder for the whole group.
Kindergarten teacher Jillian Gerra also highlights the practical side of safety. "Knowing personal information like their full name, address, phone number, and bus number is very useful and makes life easier for everyone," Gerra says.
Educators have also identified several additional abilities that make a child's time in kindergarten easier. Among them is the skill of self-advocacy-the ability to clearly state what they need or what is bothering them. Equally important is for a child to recognize their body's signals, especially when it comes to using the toilet, which contributes to their independence and reduces the need for teacher intervention.
Although many parents worry about letters and numbers, educators are clear-that's the easier part of the job. Shara Arora, a Montessori kindergarten teacher in Houston, concludes: "Parents mistakenly assume that a child must know letters, numbers, and how to read. But the children who adapt most easily are usually those who are confident in independently handling practical, everyday tasks." One unnamed teacher summed it up: "Teaching letters and numbers is the easier part of the job. That's what teachers are for. Everything else is harder to learn."
