As we prepare for the 2025–2026 school year, I have been revisiting everything I have already written about kindergarten readiness and realizing just how helpful it is to start early.
Over the past few months, I have identified four key areas that support school readiness skills that help young children feel confident entering elementary school for the first time. You can review it here:
Potty Training
Practice Independence and Listening
Managing Big Emotions
This is the season to review those areas, choose one or two skills to focus on, and practice them gently at home.
You do not need to rush. You can easily allocate a full month to each skill, and many of these will naturally become part of your child’s daily routine. Kindergarten readiness is not about pressure. It is about giving children a successful start in their school career.
This month, our focus is on two everyday skills that kindergarten teachers consistently say make a difference:
- Putting on jackets independently
- Using words to express feelings
Both support emotional development, independence, and confidence on the first day of school.
Putting on Jackets Independently
Using the Montessori Jacket Flip Method
Independence is a significant component of the kindergarten program, particularly in full-day settings, where children manage their belongings throughout the school day.
Putting on a jacket may seem small, but it supports:
- Fine motor skills
- Motor development
- Physical well-being
- Confidence in daily routines
At home, we practice this using the Montessori jacket flip method.
(I will insert a short video here so you can see what this looks like.
How to Practice the Montessori Jacket Flip at Home
- Lay the jacket on the floor with the inside facing up and the hood closest to your child
- Ask your child to stand at the hood end
- Have them place their arms into the sleeves
- Show them how to flip the jacket over their head
- Let them adjust and try zipping if they are ready
This supports important developmental milestones for young children, especially between years of age when independence is still developing.
This is a skill you can focus on for a month and then continue reinforcing casually as part of daily life — at child care drop-off, before going outside, or during school open house visits.
Using Words to Express Feelings
Emotional language is a major part of emotional development and one of the areas kindergarten teachers notice quickly.
Young children may struggle to explain what they need, especially during big emotional moments. In the heat of a tantrum, they may not yet have the language to express what is happening inside.
While we do want to encourage words in the heat of the moment, I have also found it very effective to gently revisit and review emotions during calm times.
We talk about feelings when things are settled before bed, during quiet play, or while reading together. These calm moments allow children to practice language without pressure and support healthy cognitive development.
Simple ways we practice this include:
- Naming emotions out loud
- Encouraging short phrases like “I need help.”
- Revisiting situations calmly later
- Acknowledging feelings before problem-solving
This supports literacy development, communication, and social skills, all of which are assessed in kindergarten entry assessments and developmental screenings.
We are constantly working on this in our household, so please know you are not alone. Emotional language takes time, repetition, and patience.
One Month at a Time Is Enough
When families review school readiness checklists or tools such as stage questionnaires, it can feel overwhelming. But kindergarten readiness does not require mastering everything at once.
You can:
- Focus on one skill per month
- Revisit skills naturally
- Use everyday moments instead of structured lessons
Preparing for a Successful Start
Kindergarten readiness is not about perfection. It is about giving young children the confidence to navigate their school day, build relationships, and grow academically and socially.
By focusing on independence, emotional regulation, and foundational skills now, you are supporting:
- School readiness
- A smooth first day
- A positive long-term school career
If you are preparing your child for kindergarten in the 2025–2026 school year, I will continue sharing simple, realistic ways to support your child at home, one month, one skill, and one calm moment at a time.
You are giving your child an incredible opportunity.
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