Kindergarten Readiness: Preparing for Success

Thank you to Kansas Virtual Academy for sponsoring this post and offering flexible virtual schooling options for Kansas families!

virtual school homeschool k-12The school year may be winding down, but many families are already looking ahead to their first day of school – their very first. Hundreds of kids across Kansas will start kindergarten this fall, and it’s up to parents and teachers to help them – and each other – navigate this big transition.

As an elementary school teacher for more than 10 years, I’ve worked with countless families as they send their kids off to school for the first time. I’m currently a kindergarten teacher at Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA), an online public school serving students statewide. From both my brick-and-mortar and online teaching experiences, I’ve learned a few things that can help you and your child prepare for this transition. These are my three tips to help families prepare for kindergarten.

Build a Foundation: Content and Skills

There are two skill areas that your soon-to-be-kindergartener can get started on now: letter and number recognition, and handwriting.

Children need to be able to recognize and associate letters to continue to form their vocabulary and learn to read and write. This includes counting, even if it’s just counting from 1 to 10 and associating the counting with objects. When they can recognize letters and numbers, they’ll have a solid foundation moving forward.

It can be easy to forget how challenging it was to learn how to write by hand. Practice with your child and teach them some tricks for how to hold and use a pencil – YouTube videos can help make this fun. Practice makes perfect as these little ones learn and remember patterns, letters and numbers. KSVA’s online kindergarten curriculum includes materials such as workbooks and writing sheets, and hands-on activities bring lessons to life for these budding learners.

Start Strong: It’s Your First Day of School, Too

The first day of school isn’t just a milestone for your little one. It can be an emotional day for the whole family! It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Take advantage of opportunities in your community to connect with other parents and share resources. Many schools host principal coffees and open houses, and KSVA offers a variety of resources for our parents to get a strong start in the online learning environment.

Make sure you also encourage the social aspects of kindergarten for your kids to connect with other students – before school starts and throughout the year. Find things to do in your community to meet other families, especially if you’re homeschooling or attending online public school at home. This can include library story times, playgroups, enrichment classes, and more. At KSVA we host social outings, field trips and other in-person gatherings throughout the year, so our students can build on the friendships they establish in the virtual classroom. We even have a graduation ceremony and prom for our high schoolers!  

Get Involved: Be A Partner in Your Child’s Education

Both parents and teachers have the same goal: to help students succeed. I encourage parents to be proactive in reaching out to teachers with concerns and ideas, and to get involved at their kids’ school in any way that they can.

At KSVA, parents serve as Learning Coaches alongside their students each day, helping them to navigate online school – but they don’t have to create the curriculum or the lessons themselves. They are responsible for ensuring their student is on track with assignments and coursework as well as communicating with their teachers throughout the school year. Learning Coaches play an active role, especially in the early grades, and I love working in close partnership with our parents.

A Family Transition

The transition to kindergarten is a big step for any child. It’s important to establish a solid foundation from which to grow, and to be open to the new experiences that lie ahead. Remember these tips as your family embarks on this adventure together, and you just may setup a lifelong love of learning.


Heather Grimes has been a teacher for more than 10 years, primarily serving in elementary education. With years of experience, she’s helped countless families with the transition to kindergarten. She currently serves as a kindergarten teacher at Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA), an online public school.

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