teacher takes selfie with class

Kindergarten Ready

Get Kindergarten Ready

So many exciting firsts are part of starting school — riding the school bus, going through the cafeteria line, checking out a library book, playing on the playground with classmates. Are you and your child ready for the big day? Whether anticipating or anxious, resources are provided here to help get little ones prepared for kindergarten including:

  • Registration information

  • Skill information and ideas to ease the transition to school

  • Video tips on ways to get “Kindergarten Ready”

  • Online resources to support early learning

Register for School

Families may begin the registration process online. Once the preregistration process is complete, the parent/guardian will receive an email notification that the application has been received. The school will then reach out to schedule a time to visit the school and complete the final steps of the registration process.

K-Ready Skills

Children learn best through play, relationships, and daily moments that spark curiosity. Kindergarten readiness grows from talking, reading, moving, wondering, and problem-solving together — the kinds of things families naturally do every day. The Basics (thebasics.org) reminds us that simple interactions like talking, singing, counting, playing, and reading together make a big difference for young children’s learning and confidence.

Everyday moments like mealtime chats, playtime adventures, storytime snuggles, and family routines all build skills for a strong start. This page shares easy, everyday ideas to support kindergarten readiness at home. Early literacy and math, STEAM, social-emotional, and motor skills can all be woven into the joyful chaos of real family life.


Social Skills

Self Help

Independent Play

Social-Emotional Skills

two girls working together on the floor

The foundation for learning, friendships, and confidence in kindergarten. Before children can focus on letters, numbers, or lessons, they need to feel safe, understood, in control, and ready to learn. Social-emotional skills help set the tone for everything that happens in the classroom.

What are social-emotional skills?

Social-emotional skills include how children:

  • Understand and express their feelings

  • Manage frustration and strong emotions

  • Follow routines and directions

  • Take turns and cooperate with others

  • Build positive relationships with peers and adults

Why are social-emotional skills so important?

Strong social-emotional skills help children feel comfortable at school and ready to learn. When children can manage their emotions, communicate their needs, and work well with others, they are better able to:

  • Pay attention and participate in learning

  • Try new or challenging tasks

  • Ask for help when they need it

  • Handle transitions and changes

  • Build friendships and positive relationships

Academic skills matter, but social-emotional skills set the stage. Children who feel confident, supported, and emotionally ready are more likely to succeed in school—both now and in the years ahead.

How parents and caregivers can help:

  • Talk openly about feelings and model healthy ways to express them

  • Read books that explore emotions, kindness, and friendships

  • Practice taking turns, sharing, and problem-solving during play

  • Encourage children to keep trying when something feels difficult

  • Use routines to help children feel safe and secure

  • Praise effort, kindness, and growth not just “getting it right”

Remember:

Big feelings are part of learning. Every conversation, playdate, and challenging moment is an opportunity to build skills that help children thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

Early Literacy Skills

Skills That Help Kids Get Ready to Read

Before children learn to read words, they build important pre-reading skills through everyday play, talking, and exploring. These skills help children feel confident and ready when they start kindergarten:

  • Listening and noticing sounds – hearing rhymes, clapping syllables, and playing with word sounds

  • Talking and storytelling – sharing ideas, telling stories, and talking about their day

  • Knowing letters – recognizing letters, especially those in their name, and noticing print around them

  • Understanding how books work – holding a book right, turning pages, and knowing that words tell the story

  • Building vocabulary – learning new words through conversations, books, and experiences

Children do not need to be able to read before kindergarten. These skills are the perfect place to begin!

How Families Can Support Early Literacy at Home

You do not need special training or expensive materials. The most meaningful learning happens during everyday moments. Simple ways families can support early literacy include:

  • Reading aloud every day, even for a few minutes

  • Talking together during meals, car rides, and playtime

  • Singing songs and saying rhymes

  • Asking questions about stories and pictures

  • Letting children see adults reading and writing

Little moments add up, and your time and attention make a big difference!

student wearing superman cape and mask

Early Math Skills

Early math skills start developing long before children begin formal math lessons. Through play, conversations, and everyday routines, young children naturally begin to understand numbers, shapes, and how things work together. These early experiences help build confidence and curiosity about math. Positive early math experiences also help children see math as something useful and enjoyable.

student reading a book

What Early Math Looks Like

Preschoolers learn math in simple, natural ways. Skills that are helpful for kindergarten include:

  • Counting objects and understanding “how many”

  • Recognizing numbers and noticing them in everyday life

  • Comparing sizes and amounts (more, less, bigger, smaller)

  • Identifying basic shapes and patterns

  • Understanding order and routines, like what comes first or next

Children do not need to be math experts — being familiar with these ideas helps them feel ready to learn.

How Families Can Help at Home

You don’t need special tools or lessons. Math happens naturally during everyday moments:

  • Count toys, steps, or snacks together

  • Talk about shapes, sizes, and numbers while playing

  • Sort objects or find patterns around the house

  • Point out numbers on signs, clocks, and calendars

Small moments add up, and everyday play helps build strong math skills.

Early Steam Skills

What is STEAM learning?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math—but for young children, it’s really about curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving through play. STEAM learning happens when children explore, ask questions, build, create, test ideas, and try again.

Think: “What happens if…?” and “Let’s try it another way.”

Why is STEAM learning important?

STEAM experiences help children:

  • Build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

  • Learn to ask questions and explore ideas

  • Develop creativity and imagination

  • Practice perseverance and flexibility when things don’t work the first time

  • Strengthen language, collaboration, and confidence

Best of all, STEAM learning helps children see themselves as capable thinkers and creators—long before they ever step into a science lab or classroom.

How can families encourage STEAM learning at home?

The great news? You don’t need fancy materials or special lessons. STEAM learning happens naturally through everyday play and exploration.

student cutting with scissors

Here are easy, playful ways to support STEAM at home:

Remember:

STEAM learning doesn’t require worksheets or screens; it thrives in play, conversation, curiosity, and everyday moments. When children explore freely and feel supported, they build the skills they need for kindergarten and for life.

Motor & Movement Skills

teacher helping student

Big moves, little moves, and everything in between! From running and jumping to cutting and coloring, movement plays a big role in helping children feel confident, capable, and ready for kindergarten.

Big moves, little moves, and everything in between! From running and jumping to cutting and coloring, movement plays a big role in helping children feel confident, capable, and ready for kindergarten.

Fine Motor Skills (Little Moves)

What are they? Fine motor skills are the small movements children make with their hands and fingers—like holding a crayon, using scissors, zipping a jacket, or turning pages in a book.

Why are they important?

Strong fine motor skills help children with everyday school tasks, such as writing their name, drawing, using classroom tools, and taking care of themselves.

How families can help:

  • Color, draw, paint, and scribble

  • Play with playdough, clay, or kinetic sand

  • Practice cutting with child-safe scissors

  • Build with blocks, Legos, or small toys

  • Let kids button, zip, snap, and twist during dressing time

Gross Motor Skills (Big Moves)

What are they?

Gross motor skills use the large muscles of the body for big movements like running, climbing, balancing, throwing, and jumping.

Why are they important?

These skills build strength, balance, coordination, and confidence—plus they help children sit, focus, and participate in classroom activities.

How families can help:

  • Play outside- run, hop, skip, and climb

  • Dance to music or try follow-the-leader

  • Kick, throw, and catch balls

  • Create obstacle courses with pillows or cones

  • Practice balance by walking on lines or curbs

Remember:

Movement doesn’t need to be fancy or planned. Play counts. Outdoor time counts. Dancing in the living room absolutely counts. When children move their bodies, they’re building skills for school—and for life.

two students reading on the floor

Community Resources For Supporting Early Learning

  • Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation – Need ideas for a family outing? Want to get out and explore a new place close to home? There are so many ways to experience Chesterfield through the great outdoors or through a recreational program. Visit the Parks and Rec website to learn more.

  • Children’s Museum of Richmond – Did you know that the Chesterfield location of the Children’s Museum of Richmond is on Hull Street? Plan your visit by perusing their website! Also check out their blog.

  • Chesterfield County Public Library – Your local library is a power house of information! You will find so many events, resources, and supports by visiting a CCPL branch today! Be sure to watch CCPL Online Storytime. Use the button below to access their videos on YouTube. 

  • Greater Richmond Fit for Kids – Greater Richmond Fit4Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving children’s health and reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity in the Richmond region. We do this by offering innovative programs that promote physical activity and healthy eating in schools, community organizations, and beyond.

  • Positive Parenting – Check this site for resources and classes for Chesterfield children and parents!

  • VPM – Virginia’s home for Public Media, VPM is committed to fulfilling the promise of public broadcasting by using the power of media to enrich the human spirit and make our community a better place. They offer many learning opportunities for families and children of all ages.