Get Ready For Kindergarten
Getting ready to start school is a big step on your child's learning journey. It's a time filled with excitement, and maybe a little nervousness, for both parents and kids. Here at National Heritage Academies, we know how important this transition is, and we're here to help you get ready. On this page we've included useful tips, resources, and information to make sure your child has a great start to school.
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
“Kindergarten readiness” is a term educators use to describe the skills a child should have to help them smoothly transition into their school career. If you're wondering if your child is ready to start, we've put together a list of things your child should know before heading off to school. Your child has probably learned many of these things through simple development.
Social/Emotional Skills
Listening and Communication:
- Sharing and Taking Turns
- Verbal Communication
- Listening Skills
- Basic Life Skills
Learn more about social and emotional readiness for kindergarten and explore our useful list of activities you can do at home with your child to help them develop these essential skills.
Social/Emotional At-Home Activities
Math Readiness
Number Recognition and Counting:
- Counting and Number Recognition
- One-to-One Correspondence
- Instant Quantity Recognition
- Shape Recognition
- Sorting
- Pattern Identification
Learn more about math readiness for kindergarten, watch activity videos, and explore our useful list of activities you can do at home with your child to help them develop math skills.
Math Readiness At-Home Activities
Reading Readiness
Alphabetic Awareness:
- Letter Names
- Letter Sounds
- Rhyme Recognition
- Syllable Recognition
Learn more about reading readiness for kindergarten, watch activity videos, and explore our useful list of activities you can do at home with your child to help them develop reading skills.
Reading Readiness At-Home Activities
Movement Milestones
Fine Motor Skills:
- Holding a Pencil
- Tracing
- Letter & Number Writing
- Small Object Manipulation
Learn more about fine motor skills, and explore our useful list of activities you can do at home with your child to help them reach movement milestones.
Fine Motor Skill At-Home Activities
When Can My Child Start School?
If you're wondering when your child can start school, you're not alone! Every state has its own minimum age requirements, and they vary.Kindergarten Calculator
NHA operates schools with kindergarten programs across nine states. Use our kindergarten calculator to help determine when your child can start at an NHA school.
How to Apply
Are you ready to apply for your kindergarten student? Learn more about Open Enrollment and our free application process.
Learn More