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1. Read Every Day
Set aside a special reading time each day. Libraries often offer free story times and summer reading programs — plus, it’s air-conditioned fun!

2. Explore Nature Together
Take walks and talk about what you see — birds, bugs, clouds, leaves. Encourage your child to ask questions and make observations.

3. Make Everyday Moments Count
Grocery shopping, cooking, and even laundry are learning opportunities. Count fruits, name colors, or sort clothes by size and texture.

4. Keep a Summer Journal
Help your child draw or write (with your help) a “journal” of summer adventures. It builds memory skills, early writing, and creativity.

5. Play with Purpose
Simple games like “Simon Says,” puzzles, or building with blocks help develop motor skills, listening, and problem-solving.

6. Visit Free Community Resources
Check out local libraries, parks, or museums for child-friendly events. Many offer hands-on learning and play-based exploration.

7. Sing, Rhyme, and Move
Songs and rhymes help with language development. Make up silly songs or dance together to favorite tunes — it supports early literacy and brain development.

8. Water Play with a Twist
Use cups, sponges, and measuring spoons during bath time or outdoor water play to introduce early math and science concepts.

9. Cook Together
Even toddlers can help wash veggies or stir batter. Cooking teaches sequencing, counting, and vocabulary — and it’s tasty!

10. Keep a Routine
Young children thrive on structure. A consistent routine helps with emotional security and prepares them for the return to school.

Ease the Transition with the Power of Reading

The end of Pre-K or VPK marks a huge milestone in your child’s early years—and for many families, the next big step is kindergarten. While it’s an exciting time, it can also come with some nerves (and not just for the kids!).

One of the best ways to prepare your rising kindergartener is also one of the simplest: read together.

Books help children explore new emotions, understand routines, and build confidence—all from the safety of your lap. Reading together also strengthens your bond and encourages important language and listening skills they’ll need in school.

Not sure where to start? Here are some of our favorite kindergarten-themed books to help your child feel ready and excited for their big day:

Mrs. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Follow Mrs. Bindergarten and her students as they prepare for the first day of school. This rhyming classic is both fun and reassuring.

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Perfect for kids who are a little nervous, this book walks through the morning of a kindergartener’s first day—step by step.

Mae’s First Day of School
Mae isn’t so sure about kindergarten… until she finds out she’s not alone. A relatable story for kids who are feeling anxious about change.

The Kissing Hand
A beautiful story about separation and love, this book helps comfort children who may feel nervous about leaving home for school.

Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat!
Splat is worried about his first day of school. This playful story helps normalize jitters and shows that even nervous cats can have a great day.

Make Reading Part of Your Daily Routine

Aim for just 15–20 minutes a day. Bedtime is great, but anytime works. Let your child pick the book, talk about the pictures, and ask how they think the characters are feeling.

And yes—repeating the same book over and over? That’s completely normal, and it’s great for learning.

Want More Kindergarten Readiness Tips?

Visit elcnwf.org/power-up-for-kindergarten to find tools, checklists, and free resources designed to help you and your child get ready for kindergarten—together.

Reading is more than just pages. It’s preparation. It’s connection. And it’s one of the best ways to power up for kindergarten.

But here’s the good news: you’ve already been your child’s first and most important teacher. You’ve been building their brain through everyday moments—talking, reading, playing, exploring. And there’s still plenty you can do to help them feel ready and confident when that first school bell rings.

Here are 5 ways to Power Up for Kindergarten—starting right at home:

1. Practice Routines Together
Kindergarten runs on routines—lining up, snack time, bathroom breaks, cleanup. Help your child get used to a simple routine at home: set regular mealtimes, try getting dressed in the morning, or have a “circle time” with a song and a story. Predictable routines build confidence and reduce anxiety.

2. Read (and Talk!) Every Day
Reading together builds vocabulary, attention span, and a love of learning. But don’t stop at books—talk about everything! Describe what you’re doing, ask open-ended questions, and encourage your child to express their thoughts. Every conversation grows their language skills.

3. Encourage Independence
Give your child chances to do things on their own—put on shoes, open containers, tidy up toys. These small steps grow their problem-solving skills and self-confidence, which are just as important as knowing their letters.

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• Count snacks as you serve them
• Sort laundry by color
• Use sidewalk chalk to draw letters and shapes
• Sing songs with rhymes and patterns

You don’t need worksheets—you just need curiosity, conversation, and time together.

Remember: Children learn best in safe, loving relationships. Whether your child has been in formal care or not, what matters most is that they feel safe, curious, and loved. You’ve got what it takes—and we’re here to help.

Visit elcnwf.org/powerup for more tools, ideas, and support to get your child ready for Kindergarten success!