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Preparing for Kindergarten

Starting kindergarten is a big and exciting transition in a child's life. It can be scary and stressful for both you and your child, especially if this is your child's first experience in school. However, if you take some steps to prepare yourself and your child for this new experience, you can ease some of the anxiety and get your child’s schooling off to a great start.
Home → Schools → Kindergarten → Preparing for Kindergarten

Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

Children grow and develop in different ways and at different speeds. If you have concerns about their development talk to your preschool teacher, pediatrician or contact Child Find at (425) 456 – 4138.

Literacy

  • Knows letters and numbers are different
  • Names most letters of the alphabet
  • Makes many of the letter sounds
  • Enjoys reading books or being read to
  • Can hold a book carefully
  • Can draw most of the letters in their name
  • Understands letters can be made into words
  • Knows that words are a way that we can communicate with others

Social Skills

  • Plays well with other children
  • Says a child that they play with is their friend
  • Shares with others and is able to take turns
  • Can let an adult know if they need help
  • Tries to use words to solve a conflict

Self Sufficiency

  • Goes to the bathroom without help
  • Washes hands after going to the bathroom
  • Shares with others and is able to take turns
  • Can put on his or her coat and shoes
  • Eats and drinks independently

Motor Skills

  • Gets from one place to another using different types of movement
  • Can hold a pencil

Cognitive Skills

  • Is curious about new things
  • Has ideas to solve a problem
  • Sorts objects by features
  • Remembers and retells a family activity

Communication

  • Speaks clearly so other people can understand words
  • Is able to have a conversation.
  • Can tell a simple story

Math Skills

  • Counts the number of items in a group
  • Uses words like “all” and “some” to describe an amount of items.

How can you help your child prepare for Kindergarten?

Get to Know Your School

  • Take your child to the school they will be attending for orientation, welcome events or just to play on the playground.
  • Visit the building with your child before the first day of school
  • Take a walk to the bus stop before the 1st day so your child gets familiar with the routine.

Practice Skills at Home

  • Read to your child every day.
  • Teach your child their full name, phone number, address and parents’ names.
  • Use everyday situations to practice taking turns and sharing.
  • Help your child learn skills to calm themselves (like taking deep breaths or counting to 10) if they are upset. Help them learn to use words to solve problems with others.

Be Ready for the School Day

  • Help your child to have a good day by keeping a regular schedule.
  • Check your child’s backpack after school for notes and homework.

Set Expectations

  • Be a good role model by showing your child a positive attitude about school and learning. Answer questions and talk about your child’s feelings about going to Kindergarten.
  • Talk to your child about making new friends and meeting people who are different from them.
  • Tell your child how you expect them to behave at school and the importance of respecting teachers and other students.
  • Help your child to think of solutions if they have a problem or talk about what they could do in a situation that comes up unexpectedly.
Kindergarten
The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.