Are you eager to see your child’s excitement for learning and boost their preschool readiness? You’re not alone. This post will share tips on:

1. Social-emotional preparing for school steps.
2. Practical screen time strategies for child development.
3. Choosing resources that spark your child’s curiosity and love of learning.

Getting Ready for School

Which skills boost kindergarten readiness?

• Social Skills: Sharing, making polite requests for help, and following a teacher’s instructions help children adjust to the classroom.
• Early Math & Reading: Counting to 10, recognizing letters, and writing their name if possible lay a foundation for kindergarten readiness.
• Self-care: Knowing how to wash hands, use the restroom, and put on a coat fosters independence before the back-to-school season.

Imagine a scene: a kindergarten classroom and a child with a proud smile after zipping up their coat for the first time. Accomplishing small tasks like this can boost your child’s confidence and overall child development.

Handling Social and Emotional Growth

• Practice at Home: Role-play classroom scenarios. For instance, take turns being “teacher” and “student” to help with preparing for school.
• Help Name Emotions: Ask them how they feel after a playdate or if they seem upset. Labeling emotions enhances their communication and early learning skills.
• Cooperative Board Games: Simple turn-taking games teach patience and empathy, helping kids cope with minor disappointments and thrive in the classroom, supporting school readiness.

Easing Separation Anxiety

• Build familiarity: Tour the school or meet the teacher before Day One. This step can help your child feel comfortable and ease jitters as the back to school season approaches.
• Create a goodbye ritual: A special handshake or phrase helps your child feel secure.
• Stay positive: Children sense your emotions, so your calm confidence will rub off on them, supporting their preschool readiness and confidence.

Balancing Screen Time and Technology

What’s the Right Amount?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends one hour of quality screen time for preschool-aged children. It suggests a gradual increase for older kids. Every family’s schedule differs, but balancing screen and offline activities can boost your child’s learning and behavior—key components of child development.

Practical Ways to Balance Screen Time

• Create a Daily Schedule: Set specific times for digital content—30 minutes after breakfast or before dinner. Then, do a physical or creative activity to round out interactive early learning experiences.
• Pair Screen Time With Offline Exploration: If your child watches a nature video, have them draw or paint what they learned afterward.
• Screen-Free Zones or Times: Keep devices out of bedrooms and encourage family meals without TVs or tablets. This helps maintain a healthy routine during the back to school transition.

Parent Tip: One mother found that 20 minutes of an educational app, like Khan Academy Kids, each morning helped her preschooler. It let him focus on creative play afterward. They followed it with a half-hour of building blocks or coloring to reinforce what they had learned.

High-Quality Educational Apps

• Khan Academy Kids: Free lessons in math, reading, problem-solving, and art.
• PBS Kids Games: Based on shows like Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street, mixing fun with skill-building.
• ABCmouse: A subscription option with progressive lessons in reading, math, and more—excellent for building a foundation for kindergarten readiness.

Choosing the Right Resources

Selecting Age-Appropriate Toys

• Open-Ended Play: Blocks or building sets to encourage creativity and child development.
• STEM Activities for Preschoolers: Simple science kits, magnifying glasses, and counting bears foster preschool readiness and curiosity.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Games that promote sharing, turn-taking, or identifying emotions—vital for school readiness.

The Best Children’s Books for Ages 3–8

Ages 3–5:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

Ages 6–8:

• Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
• Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Subscription Boxes & Learning Kits

• KiwiCo (Koala Crate, Kiwi Crate): STEM-based projects tailored to different ages, ideal for hands-on exploration.
• Little Passports: Fun cultural and geographical activities each month for enhanced child development.
• Highlights Book Clubs: Encourage reading and problem-solving with monthly deliveries to build academic confidence.

Useful links:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – HealthyChildren.org
  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
  Offers expert advice on child health, development milestones, and tips on preparing kids for school.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Learn the Signs. Act Early.
  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html
  Provides milestone trackers, checklists, and resources to support children’s growth and early learning.
• Zero to Three
  https://www.zerotothree.org/
  Focuses on the early years (birth to age three) and offers articles, videos, and parent-friendly research on child development.
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  https://www.naeyc.org/
  Offers research-based articles on best practices in early childhood education and school readiness.
• PBS KIDS
  https://pbskids.org/
  Houses educational videos, games, and activities that promote early reading, math, and socio-emotional skills.
• Khan Academy Kids
  https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/
  A free app featuring activities, books, and games covering reading, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional development.
• KiwiCo
  https://www.kiwico.com/
  Subscription kits for hands-on STEM, art, and geography projects designed by age group to foster curiosity and creativity.
• ABCmouse
  https://www.abcmouse.com/
  A subscription-based platform for progressive lessons in reading, math, science, and art, tailored for ages 2–8.
• Little Passports
  https://www.littlepassports.com/
  Monthly boxes with global-themed activities and games that encourage cultural awareness and geography learning.
• Highlights for Children
  https://www.highlights.com/
  Best known for magazines that promote reading and problem-solving, plus fun activity kits geared toward preschool and up.