We took this community’s questions and posed them to 3 Amazing Current Kindergarten teachers, one from each of the 3 districts. We did this to get a broader idea of if what was true for one district is for another in terms of what to expect for Kindergarten. Although each of these teachers teach for a district, these answers are not an official stance or answer from the district itself. Because of that we are keeping each teacher’s name and district anonymous. I did scramble which order the answers were and let it be known what district for district specific questions that were asked. (Also I wrote out all the questions asked in case I missed the nuisance of two similar questions but gave them the out to not have to answer too similar of questions a bunch & just say “see previous answer etc”)
All in all this is to get a BIG picture idea from people who do this day in and day out year after year of what to expect and how to prepare and to think of things we maybe wouldn’t have thought about. Remember like with parenting there are SO many different mindsets to teaching, learning and childhood. These are just 3 perspectives and these 3 teachers may not be your child’s 3 teachers. My hope with sharing these is that it takes some of the guess work out of some of what they need to do to be “ready” and what to expect. And that maybe that might ease any nervousness or fears you may have as a parent.
It will all be okay!
- What is the best way to prepare toddlers for kindergarten?
Teacher A: Lots and lots of crafting, coloring, play dough, magnatiles, building, creating! We are finding that kids are coming with lower and lower fine motor skills due to tablets and screens, so anything that keeps their hands busy is a yes for me! Playing outdoor games like balance beams, kicking balls, etc is also great for gross motor skills!
Teacher B: Any sort of learning in toddler-world is meant to be FUN! I think the best fundamentals that toddlers can learn for kindergarten are curiosity, flexibility, socialization, and getting used to any sort of structured environment. While things like letters and numbers are helpful, the social piece is what ultimately leads to all their success!
Teacher C: Put the screens away! New kinders are coming in with low social skills, low language skills, low attention spans, low fine-motor skills, and low stamina for “feeling bored.” Putting the screens away solves so many of these issues! Talk with your child. Play with them. Let them play alone without you sometimes (supervised, but independently). Let them build, draw, color, create, and imagine. Play outside. Let them try new experiences without “helicoptering” the whole time. Interact with other children. Enjoy books together, reading and talking about the stories and the pictures. Tell them no when it’s appropriate. These experiences and boundaries at home go much further when they enter the classroom than simply focusing on teaching them “ABCs and 123s” at home.
- What age is ideal to start preschool?
Teacher A: At 3 years old!
Teacher B: I would love to see all students have at least one year of preschool/transitional kindergarten before kindergarten. Other than that, I’d say whatever works for your family!
Teacher C: Age 3 or 4 (1-2 years in preschool before kindergarten), but I’m less concerned about preschool and more concerned about the things mentioned in Question 1. If I had to choose between the two, the answers in Question 1 make a bigger impact than preschool does. I can teach them the academics when they get to me. It’s hard in the classroom to catch them up on the experiences and boundaries mentioned above.
- How can I prepare my child for the kindergarten schedule? I don’t know how my child will transition from part time couple hours a week preschool/being with me doing one-on-one to a full five day 7-8 hour day with a large class of kids. Will the transition be smoother than I anticipate or should I be doing something to prepare them?
Teacher A:
The kindergarten schedule can be a lot for kiddos at the start of the year. I would recommend taking nap time out of your routine a couple of months before school starts to start practicing that stamina. I would also practice eating lunch quickly, as lunch times go very fast. I have had previous parents practice by packing a “school” lunch for their child in a lunchbox just how they would have it at school, set a timer for 20 minutes, and see how much of their lunch they are able to eat in that time period. My school does 20 minutes from the time they walk in the cafeteria to the time to bell rings for recess, so it is quick!
Teacher B: It will be smoother than you anticipate 😊 Kids rise to the occasion! If they are still consistent nap-takers, it may be time to start working toward dropping that and replacing it with a low-energy, preferred activity to get them used to being up all day. I also always tell parents that the first few weeks, you may see some big emotions at home because they held it together at school all day. But they figure it out – I promise!!
Teacher C: Get plenty of sleep each night! Eat a healthy breakfast – at home or at school. They will be tired the first few weeks and that’s completely normal! Kindergarten is a big experience with much more stimulation, social interaction, and daily demands than they are used to. Sometimes they fall asleep in class and most teachers let them sleep, even offering a classroom snuggly to help them be more comfortable. Having a schedule for bedtime routines and morning routines will help them adjust, but mostly it will take time and that’s completely normal.
- Will my child be okay in Kinder entering as a student who knows letters but is not yet reading?
Teacher A: Absolutely! At my school, we focus on letters and sounds the first 3 months of kindergarten. They will be right where they need to be if they know a few coming in!
Teacher B: Yes! We love to see kids reading by the end of kindergarten but we in no way expect it when they come in.
Teacher C: Absolutely! We have students every year who enter knowing zero letters, zero sounds, and zero numbers. It’s our job to teach them those things! What’s more helpful is for you to prepare them with the answers I mentioned in Question 1.
- What is the academic competency to expect from an incoming kindergartner? My son who will be 5 in July reads fluently and knows how to write most letters but struggles with correct formation. He is able to do some single digit addition and subtraction independently and can count to 100 independently. I would love to know what to focus on this summer before school starts.
Teacher A: This sounds like a child that is more than ready for kindergarten, and may need some challenge supports! Entering kindergarteners usually know some letters and sounds, but very few are reading until later in the year. We work on counting to 100 as a kindergarten skill all year as well, so this child sounds like he could need some challenges! A focus for your child to work on would definitely be letter formation. You could try sand trays, shaving cream, or other fun, sensory ways of practicing letter formation. Playing with toys that strengthen fine motor skills will also help with letter formation. (Play dough, rubber band boards, tweezer activities etc)
Teacher B: It sounds like your son is in a great spot! If students know letter names/sounds and number names before they enter, it makes everything else go so much more smoothly. Aside from that, they will figure it out as they go! I would suggest looking up Common Core standards for math, language, and reading to see where we’re taking them by the end of the year!
Teacher C: Please don’t stress about this! Anything you do at home is helpful, but it is ultimately our job to teach your child what they don’t know yet, no matter how they enter kindergarten. If you are stressing about it anyway, for reference, some main mid/end-of-year kindergarten goals (NOT beginning kindergarten goals) are to count to 100, identify numbers through 31, count a set of up to 20 objects, add/subtract fluently within 5 and add/subtract using strategies within 10, know all letters/sounds (both short and long vowel sounds), read CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant) and some irregular high-frequency words, draw and color a recognizable picture that matches their writing, and write a sentence with appropriate capitalization, spaces and punctuation using phonetic spelling and common high-frequency words. Remember, these are NOT entrance goals. These are EXIT goals, which means if your child can already do some of these things, you’re ahead of the game.
- How do I know if my child is ready for kinder? What should they know/be able to do by the time they start kindergarten?
Teacher A: Academically, entering kindergarteners typically know a few letter names, and maybe some letter sounds. They usually can count to 20, and can identify numbers to 10.
HOWEVER: These things are not at all required for entering kindergarteners! The advice I would give for this question is more social and developmental. Can your child use the bathroom independently? (Unbutton pants, use the toilet, wipe, flush, re-button pants, wash hands) Can your child separate from you easily? Can your child do things for themselves? (put on their coat, shoes, backpack? Put things away? Etc) Can your child sit and listen to a story for 5-10 minutes? Can your child play independently or with other children? Can your child take turns? Can your child wait patiently for something? Can your child play a game and lose? 😉 These are all things we work on in kindergarten, but would love to see early on in the year.
Teacher B: See Last Question’s Answers.
Teacher C: It’s less about academics and more about social/emotional/adaptive/fine-motor skills. If they can do things like identify letters/sounds/numbers, then great! But what makes a bigger difference is coming in knowing how to follow 1-3 step directions, listen to adults, accept being told no, hold attention for 5-10 minutes, be kind to friends, cry at appropriate times and know how to calm down with minimal adult assistance, zip own coat, zip own pants, use the bathroom independently, color a picture with appropriate pressure on the writing tool, mostly staying in the lines without scribbling or leaving lots of white space, and knowing how to hold and use scissors. (Tip – have them go outside and cut grass blades with their scissors! Great practice and no mess!)
When to Send to Kindergarten:
- Summer birthdays! Both of my daughters have summer birthdays (end of June and end of July) How will I know if I should put them in kindergarten at 5 or 6 years old?
Teacher A: In my experience, it depends on the child and their developmental growth. I think boys that are 5 in the summer are less ready than girls that are 5 in the summer, but there have been many exceptions to that as well. If your child feels mature enough to start school (can bathroom independently, can separate from you easily, can play independently and with other children, etc), then go for it!
Teacher B: As a young summer birthday myself, I always feel a little hypocritical with my answer to this question. However, if you are even thinking about keeping them back a year, my encouragement would be to follow that gut. Kindergarteners won’t be “bored” if they come in with a lot of academic skills from an extra year of preschool- there’s so much learning going on that has nothing to do with letters and numbers. However, there can be a HUGE different between a kid who just turned 5 in August and a kid who is turning 6 in September. I have had summer birthdays who did just fine, but I’d always say that in the long run (graduation, driving, college, etc.), you’ll never regret waiting! Another quick note… I know some districts have the option for September birthdays to test in early. I know this might sound appealing if kids are just missing the cutoff… But I’d just encourage you to think down the road for this one!! Starting kindergarten is a big ask of all kids, and I wouldn’t want to put that on a 4 year old!
Teacher C: Every child is different. Rather than academic skills, I’d base it on their social/emotional/adaptive/fine-motor readiness and maturity (see answer to questions 1 and 6). I’ve had kids be successful that were “young 5’s” and kids that really struggled that were “old 5’s” or “already 6’s.” It truly depends on the child. With that being said, it’s a popular kinder teacher phrase to say that although every child is different, no parent has ever regretted waiting a year to start if they were on the fence about it.
7a.My child has a summer birthday, so they would be young in their class. Should I hold them out a year or send them when they turn 5?
Teacher A: In my experience, it really does depend on the child and their maturity. However, if it is a couple of days before the cut off, I would recommend keeping them another year.
Teacher B: Same as answer above
Teacher C: Same as answer above
- With kids who have summer birthdays that can either start kindergarten early or late… which do you recommend?
Teacher A: If there is a child that has a September birthday but they are ready for school in your opinion, there is an early entrance exam they can take that will admit them into kindergarten early.
Teacher B: Late if at all possible!!!
Teacher C: Same as previous answer
- Is there any sort of testing/evaluation that can be done to help make that decision?
Teacher A: See answer above.
Teacher B: If your child is in preschool, I would start by talking to their preschool teacher. Aside from that, I would look at the Common Core standards for kindergarten and know that’s where kids are headed by the end of kindergarten.
Teacher C: Nothing official. There are lots of kindergarten readiness lists on Google if you want to look for them. Focus less on the academics and more on the social/emotional/etc. Sections.
- Are 5 year old kinder students way behind their 6 year old classmates?
Teacher A: Absolutely not! There are some cases where I have the youngest kids in the class further than some of my 6 year olds! It all depends on the maturity of the child. Every child is different, and works at their own pace! I have also had cases where the super young 5s struggle, but again, it all depends on the developmental maturity of each individual child.
Teacher B: Not always, but I can usually tell the difference in a class that has a lot of summer birthdays (like my class this year) and a class that doesn’t (like my class last year)!!
Teacher C: No. Every child is different.
- I feel like my child is ready to start kinder, but worry they will be behind because they will only have just turned 5. Any words of encouragement/reassurance?
Teacher A: See previous answer
Teacher B: In my experience, age does not usually indicate academic readiness but rather the social readiness. If you think they are ready socially, then send them! But sometimes the gift of time is their greatest asset in the long run.
Teacher C: See previous answer
- How would you handle a situation where the child is scared and cries each morning when getting dropped off at school?
Teacher A: We have this a bit at the beginning of the year, and we usually try to separate at the door, and console the child in the classroom. In my experience, it doesn’t take long before they are calmed down and ready to learn with the class. Every school may have a different policy on this, but this is the goal my school has with this situation. Once the parents are in the room, it heightens the situation further.
Teacher B: It happens every year! Drop-off procedures will be different at each school, but most kindergarten teachers will be firm yet loving in this scenario. Usually, kids are alright once they are inside- the separation is the hardest! Always feel free to e-mail or contact the teacher a little bit later in the day to see how they’re doing if that reassurance would be helpful!
Teacher C: The parent truly needs to walk away and leave! It never helps when a parent lingers – ever! We have a few criers every year – we expect it! They typically stop crying a few minutes after the parent leaves. The longer the parent stays, the longer they cry. If they’re holding onto you, gently pull them off and walk away, even if they’re “melting” onto the ground. We promise we are used to it and can get them calmed down more quickly if you leave. Most teachers will send you a quick message on the school’s messaging system when they calm down to ease your mind!
- How do new kinders know which bus to take and when to get off at their bus stop?
Teacher A: We have bus routes posted on the school website that has all the different drop of times and streets. In my district, we use color routes, so they have a color tag on their backpack that helps them remember which bus is theirs for the end of the day. We have entrance meetings with the families before school starts, and we talk to the families about where the bus stop is, what time it will come, and what route they are. Then at the end of the day, we have para professionals that walk them to the bus loop to ensure they get onto the right buses at the end of the day. Bus drivers also have bus passes for the kiddos to help them keep track of who picks them up and drops them off at the bus stops.
Teacher B: In our district, buses will ask for parents to meet kindergarteners at their stop fo the first little bit. You can always use this time to find what older kids get off at the same stop and ask them to help or just connect your child to them. Getting to school is easy- everyone ends at the same spot 😊
Teacher C: In our district, kinders are NOT allowed on the bus without a bus tag. Even if they know what to do and where to go and it’s April, they MUST have a bus tag if they’re a kindergarten-bus-rider. In our district, Kinder bussers also get picked up a few minutes early from class by a para. This para walks them out to the busses before the other students are released so there isn’t a crowd outside yet. They makes sure they get on the correct bus, based on their tag. The bus driver makes sure they get off on the correct stop, based on their tag. Kinders are NOT allowed to get off the bus on the way home unless a designated pick-up person is present at the bus stop to get them.
- What is your suggestion for twins at that age. Split them up or stay together?
Teacher A: I have had it many different ways. Lately, since covid, I have had twins together. However, I have also had twins separate based on parent request. Some parents are worried they wont be their own person if they are together, some parents are worried they will be too competitive if they are put together. The flip side is that if you don’t have them together, you are dealing with two different teachers that have different assignments, teaching styles, etc. You could always start one way and then the next year try something different!
Teacher B: Well, I have 3 sets of twins in my class this year so I feel randomly uniquely qualified to ask you to PLEASE separate them if possible! I have 2 pairs that are separated (so one kid from each pair is in my class) and 1 pair that is together and the two together drive each other crazy! I know that there are benefits as far as communication and streamlining to keeping them together, but the kids always seem to prefer to be separated!
Teacher C: We typically split up twins unless the parents request to keep them together. I’ve experienced both scenarios, and both have been successful. I personally have not encountered a problem either way. Sometimes it’s easier for the parent to communicate with just one teacher and deal with just one set of routines/procedures. Sometimes it’s easier for the twins to become independent when they’re in separate classes. As a teacher, I don’t have a preference.
- When are sign ups for your district? Is there a deadline? What is the best way to register in person/on the phone/online? What information will the parents need to register their child?
Kennewick: Each district has an online form that opens in the spring. Most information can be found on the website for your district. You can wait until right before school starts, but it is VERY helpful to have as many families signed up early as possible so that we can predict class sizes and start to place students.
Registration Link:Kennewick: https://bit.ly/2024kinderenroll
Richland: In my district, there is an opportunity to register your child in the spring starting March 1st, but there is not a deadline. Everything is done online, and registrations are just processed in the spring, and then again when the school opens in August. Parents can also register in person if they wish, but most do it online now. I would recommend registering in the spring, because fall registration is so last minute and wild. Richland: https://www.rsd.edu/families/enroll
Pasco: Registration is open! There is no deadline, but most districts offer a Kinder Camp during the summer, and you’ll only know about it if you’re registered. There is also typically a Kinder Info night in the spring for incoming kinder parents. If you’re not registered, you won’t get those dates. Register now so you’re in the know! Register online. Off the top of my head, you will need accurate emergency contact information, proof of residency (utility bill or lease/mortgage agreement), copy of birth certificate, and copy of immunization record.
Pasco: https://www.psd1.org/students-families/enroll
- After registering what should they expect? When will they hear from teachers typically? Get supply lists? Get follow up from the school etc?
Pasco: You should be on the school’s contact list soon after you register. You won’t be placed in a class until mid to late August. Depending on the district, a supply list will be mailed to you, but these days supplies are often supplied by the district and what’s mailed out is a suggestion.
Richland: In my district, we do a parent-connection meeting with families, and we usually call to set those up the week before school starts. Before getting that phone call, families are emailed a letter letting them know who their child’s teacher is. That is usually in late August (8/17-8/18th ish usually) The first two district days of school we do the meetings. We don’t have supply lists in my district other than a backpack. The district pays for supplies.
Kennewick: Supply lists should be on school/district websites. Some schools do an orientation in the spring and some districts do a kindergarten mini-week in August. I would recommend following your specific school/school district on Facebook – they will usually post updates for things like that on there! Our school does not send class lists home until August, but I know that varies depending by school!
- Any other wisdom you want to impart potentially on the parents of your future students? Things you wish parents knew going in? Things you wished kids knew coming in? Encouragement? Reassurance? Whatever you want!
Teacher B: We will be the first to admit that it’s a big change, but it will also be ok! You will be amazed at all the ways your kids grow and change in a short amount of time. You and your child’s teacher are a team, and it takes both of you to make the magic happen!
Teacher C: Please, please, don’t send your kid with shoelaces if they cannot independently tie them!! I have probably had 1-2 kids in my career who can tie their own shoes in kindergarten, so just please don’t send them in shoelaces. I promise they will come untied and we will have to tie for them – they’re often dirty, wet, and it becomes very repetitive when many kids need the help throughout the day.