Getting your child ready to enter Kindergarten doesn’t happen overnight. And most parents already know the early years are very important in terms of knowledge and skill development. But with so much going on parents can get stressed when they ask themselves — “Is my child ready for school?” After all, children are expected to learn a lot before they begin Kindergarten.

Skills Needed Before Entering Kindergarten

• Identify letters of the alphabet
• Grip a pencil correctly
• Write first name
• Count to ten
• Speak using complete sentences
• Recognize common sight words
• Manage bathroom needs
• Follow directions
• Listen to a story without interrupting
• Separate from parents easily

Now, this isn’t everything, but you get the idea.

If you’re a parent worrying about whether or not your child is ready for school – don’t fret – the Library is here to help. We offer a variety of programs and resources specifically designed to support early childhood development.

If you’re looking for expert advice our Ready to Read team can help. The Ready to Read program is a parent education initiative designed to help families prepare children (birth-preschool) for kindergarten while providing the information and tools needed to build early literacy skills.

For information or to schedule a training session, please email readytoread@toledolibrary.org or call 419.259.5253.

Further Reading / Online Resources:

• Getting Ready for Kindergarten
• The Skills Kids Need On the First Day of School
• Kindergarten Readiness: Help Your Child Prepare

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Rhyming, ABCs and 123s

Did you know repetition plays a critical role in early childhood development?

When kids sing nursery rhymes, their ABCs or count over and over again what they’re really doing is building early learning skills (and developing their brains in the process).

Repeating words, a concept or a skill allows your child to form an understanding and even attempt to imitate it. ~ Early Years Count

Nursery Rhymes

Further Reading / Online Resources:

• Nursery Rhymes: Not Just for Babies!
• Nursery Rhymes for Brain Development
• Infants’ Brains Attuned to Baby Talk and Nursery Rhymes

Stories in Rhyme / Rhyming Picture Books

Further Reading / Online Resources:

• The Importance of Rhyme in Early Literacy Development
• Infants & Toddlers: Learning Through Rhythm & Rhyme
• Rhyming Games

Letters / Alphabet Books

Further Reading / Online Resources:

• Helping Little Ones Learn the Alphabet
• The Alphabetic Principle
• ABC Games

Numbers / Counting Books

Further Reading / Online Resources:

• Early Math: How Children Learn About Numbers
• Easy Ways to Teach Preschool Kids to Count
• 123 Games

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Looking for more books to read to your baby, preschooler or toddler?

Check out the fantastic selection of picture books from the 101 Picture Book Challenge.

What’s the 101 Picture Book Challenge?

The 101 Picture Book Challenge is designed to provide all children with a strong foundation of words, reading and stories to build literacy. We picked 101 of our favorite picture books and we want you to read them, too. Our list includes classics, new titles and everything in between. Sign-up today and start reading!