Kindergarten Readiness

Ready for Kickoff?

Getting ready for kindergarten is about more than knowing letters and numbers. Children build confidence through language, movement, self-care, social-emotional development, and everyday learning experiences with the adults who care for them.

for Parents & Caregivers

A Note for Grown-ups

Learning through play is one of the best ways to help a child prepare for school.

Use the activity book together as a family. Talk, read, count, move, draw, ask questions, and make time for fun. Children build confidence and learn more when a caring adult participates with them.

Kindergarten readiness includes much more than academics. It also includes communication, self-care, movement, social-emotional development, and the ability to explore new ideas.

Ready, Set, Learn

Run The Kindergarten Readiness Drill

Every child develops at their own pace. These readiness skills give families practical ways to encourage confidence, independence, communication, and a love of learning before the first day of kindergarten.

Use the six areas below as a guide, not a test. Practice them through everyday conversations, reading, play, routines, and time together.

Language & Communication

Practice naming, speaking, listening, sharing needs, and recognizing feelings.

Social-Emotional Skills

Learn to take turns, follow directions, ask for help, and adjust to new situations.

Self-Care Skills

Build independence through dressing, handwashing, bathroom routines, and healthy habits.

Math Skills

Practice counting, shapes, sorting, comparing, and recognizing numbers.

Movement & Motor Skills

Strengthen coordination through running, jumping, catching, drawing, tracing, and puzzles.

Literacy Skills

A Child Is LEarning To:

Draw a picture to express an idea
Retell a simple story
Begin writing letters and scribbling, including letters in their name
Enjoy listening to stories and being read to
Recognize familiar print, signs, and logos
Choose books that look interesting
Ask and respond to questions about who, what, when, where, and why

Language & Communnication Skills

A Child Is LEarning To:

Know the names of caregivers or parents and their phone number
Sing familiar nursery rhymes and songs
Name common body parts
Name colors
Take turns during conversations and activities
Explain needs and wants using words
Recognize basic feelings such as happy, sad, mad, and scared
Follow rules during games and activities

Social-Emotional Skills

A Child Is LEarning To:

Communicate needs and feelings with words
Ask for help when needed
Adjust to new situations and transitions
Follow directions and basic safety rules
Try new tasks and understand that mistakes are okay
Keep hands to themselves and begin controlling impulses
Separate from a caregiver with growing confidence
Share, take turns, and respect adults and classmates
Concentrate long enough to complete an activity

Self-Care Skills

A Child Is LEarning To:

Use the bathroom independently and wash their hands
Pull up pants and begin dressing independently
Put on a jacket, with help for buttons or zippers if needed
Put on shoes, with help for shoelaces if needed
Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing
Cough or sneeze into their elbow

Math Skills

A Child Is LEarning To:

Practice counting aloud
Count familiar objects such as toys or food
Name basic shapes
Begin drawing basic shapes
Compare objects using words such as big, little, more, and less
Sort objects by size, shape, and color
Recognize the difference between numbers and letters
Create small groups of two, three, four, or five objects

Movement & Motor Skills

A Child Is LEarning To:

Climb stairs
Run, skip, and jump
Catch and throw a large ball
Bounce and catch a ball
Hold a pencil or crayon
Trace basic shapes
Touch each finger to their thumb
Put on a jacket
Complete a simple puzzle

Reading at Every Age

Make Every Story an Opportunity to Learn

Reading together helps children build language, comprehension, curiosity, and confidence. These simple questions and habits can make story time more engaging.

Before Reading

Read the title together.
Ask, “What do you already know about this?”
Predict what the story might be about.
Look for connections to your child’s everyday life.

During Reading

Read with an enthusiastic voice.
Point out or count objects in the pictures.
React to exciting or interesting moments.
Ask, “What do you think will happen next?”
Ask, “How do you think they feel?”
Connect the story to familiar experiences.

After Reading

Ask, “What did that make you think about?”
Ask, “What was your favorite part?”
Retell the story together.
Look for ways the story connects to real life.

Keep Reading Together

Join A Weekly Story Time

Lubbock Public Library offers story times for young children and their families at branches across the city.

Recommended ages: 2-5

Tuesday's At 10 AM

TJ Patterson Branch Library

Tuesday's At 10:30 AM

Mahon Branch Library

Wednesday's At 10:30 AM

Groves Branch Library

Thursday's At 10:30 AM

Godeke Branch Library

Find Support for You and Your Family

We all Need A Little Help Sometimes

We’re breaking barriers by creating equitable opportunities for everyone. Learn more about the programs and resources our Community Partners provide across Lubbock.