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Welcome, Future SVSD Families!

As you prepare for your child's transition to kindergarten, we're excited to partner with you for a smooth and successful start to their school journey.

Children grow and learn at different rates. Every child brings unique strengths, experiences, and abilities, and there is a wide range of what "ready" can look like.

The skills below are not requirements to be mastered before the first day of school. Rather, they are developmental milestones that can help support your child's confidence and success. Our kindergarten teachers are experienced in meeting children where they are and helping every learner grow.

Ready, Set, Kinder!

Learn more about kindergarten readiness and how families can help prepare their child for a successful start to school.

Social & Emotional Skills

  • Practice taking turns and sharing.
  • Encourage self-advocacy and asking for help when needed.
  • Help your child recognize, name, and talk about their feelings.
  • Persist with a task even when it feels challenging.
  • Try new things and take appropriate risks.
  • Practice healthy ways to cope with frustration.
  • Practice accepting adult redirection.
  • Build consistent morning and bedtime routines.
  • Transition between activities with adult support.
  • Engage in cooperative play with peers.
  • Participate safely in playground activities.
  • Respect personal space and classroom materials.
  • Practice confident goodbyes at drop-off.

Self-Care Skills

  • Practice independently putting on and taking off coats, backpacks, and shoes.
  • Practice buttoning and zipping clothing.
  • Practice opening snacks, lunch items, and water bottles.
  • Practice handwashing and covering sneezes.
  • Visit places with automatic-flushing toilets.
  • Ensure your child can manage toileting needs independently.
  • Build confidence with daily hygiene routines.

Academic Readiness Skills

  • Follow one- and two-step directions.
  • Hold a crayon, marker, or pencil with control.
  • Draw simple shapes and pictures.
  • Color for short periods without fatigue.
  • Cut with scissors along a line.
  • Sort objects by color, size, or shape.
  • Manipulate small objects such as blocks and beads.
  • Read together every day.
  • Build stamina for listening and learning activities.
  • Recognize and begin writing their name.
  • Practice identifying letters, especially those in their name.
  • Explore rhymes, riddles, and sound play.
  • Count to 10 and recognize numbers 0–10.

Download the Kindergarten Readiness Flyer

Prefer a printable version? Download the flyer to keep these readiness skills handy as your family prepares for kindergarten.

Download Flyer