Real School Readiness
Life skills, not just academics, support school readiness and success! Children knowing how to be part of a group and how to advocate for their needs leads to success beyond ABC and 123.
Here's what kindergarten teachers REALLY need their students to be learning to be successful at school and simple and fun ways to build those life skills every day.
School of life skills
Children learning self-regulation and social skills are set up for success as part of a community learners. Here are some fun ways to build self-regulation and social skills through play:
Play a call and response game like Marco Polo to practice responding to one's name
Make obstacle courses to practice following multi-step directions and position concepts
Play red light, green light to practice following directions, inhibiting impulses and accepting winning and losing
Play Mother May I or similar games to practice asking, waiting for a response, and accepting when something is not a choice
Getting dressed
Children learning to put on and take off clothes, especially those who know that they need to keep clothes on at school, are dressed for success in the classroom, in the bathroom, and on the playground. Here are some fun ways to get little learners dressed for success:
Play dress up and practice putting clothes on and off their own bodies and stuffed animals or dolls
Have a fashion show and accessorize by putting shoes, belts, hats, etc. on and off to really make an outfit
Create a get dressed map or treasure hunt with clues that lead to different clothing items and fun ways to find them
Coat trick - watch these videos to see how to position jackets on the floor or on a table to help children get them on
Food and fun
Children who try to open containers, or ask for help after they try, have more time for food and fun and smoother transitions to and from snack and lunch. Here are some playful ways to pack in lunchbox skills:
Play hide and seek with items in different food containers
Mix and match lids and containers to find just the right fit
Go on a picnic to practice packing and unpacking backpacks and lunches
Practice opening food items such as string cheese, yogurt, apple sauce, or sandwich bags
Readiness and success come in many forms. Children learn in their own ways at their own pace, and they always learn more from building on their strengths! Get more skill-building for success ideas and the support you need at www.learnplaygrowconsulting.com
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