Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
Updated from an August 2015 post.
August is back to school time for kids and their parents. Kindergarteners are a special group since they’re making that trip for the first time. We’re sharing ideas and resources to help your kids get ready for kindergarten.
According to the Ohio Department of Education, “children need to be physically, socially and emotionally ready for school.”
Check out the Ohio Department of Education Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.
See also: 6 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Child to Read
Physical Skills
Help your kids’ motor skills develop by:
- Coloring and drawing
- Playing with blocks and LEGO bricks
- Putting together puzzles with interlocking puzzle pieces
Social Skills
Encourage the growth of their social skills by:
- Attending a playdate so they can interact with other kids
- Playing board games so they learn to take turns
- Putting toys away after playtime teaches responsibility
Ready to Read
Reading is a critical skill so it’s important to help kids get ready to read.
- Read at least 20 minutes a day to your child.
- Join the national 1000 Books before Kindergarten program.
Library Resources
Libraries are more than books on shelves. We want to offer you and your kids tools to succeed! Explore the resources for parents at all our locations and online.
Storytimes
We offer storytimes for kids 0-6 at all our locations. All storytimes are drop-in so you don’t need to pre-register. Check our Event Calendar for a storytime in your area. Our storytimes include:
- Stories
- Songs
- Rhymes
- Chance to meet new friends
Our storytimes also explore the five “Ready to Read” practices:
- Talking
- Reading
- Writing
- Playing
- Singing
Doing the Ready to Read practices with your kids gives them a solid foundation for learning to read.
Ready to Read Kits
Check out one of our Ready to Read Kits. Each kit has a theme such as bath time. Take it home and explore it with your kids. Using the items in the kit, you can use the Ready to Read practices at home. Each kit has:
- 5 books
- A music CD
- A toy
- A sheet of rhymes
- Fingerplays
eResources
We have digital and downloadable items for busy families on the go.
- Download eBooks or audiobooks with Libby, a free app. Share books from your smartphone or tablet with your kids. Listen to audiobooks together when you’re in the car.
- Listen to audiobooks or music using your Amazon Echo or Dot with the Hoopla Digital skill and your Hoopla account.
- Games
- Puzzles
-
Blocks and LEGO bricks
-
Computers with educational software
- And books!
Conclusion
Your local library offers many free resources to help your child get ready for kindergarten!
You might also enjoy
- Podcast: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
- Kindergarten Readiness: Writing Skills
- Booklovers Podcast: Ready to Read Literacy Kits
Written with Kim Smithers, Youth Services Specialist, at the Owensville Branch Library.
