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.

School of life skills

Here are some fun ways to build self-regulation and social skills to prepare for school:

• 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 impulse control and accepting winning and losing

• Play Mother May I to practice asking questions, waiting for a response, and accepting when something is not a choice

Getting dressed

Children learning to put on, keep on, and take off clothes are ready for success at school. Here are some fun ways to get little learners dressed for success:

• Play dress up to practice putting clothes on and off their own bodies and stuffed animals or dolls

• Have a fashion show and practice putting shoes, belts, hats, etc. on and off to accessorize 

• Coat trick - put coats on the floor and have children put their arms in and flip them over their heads instead of struggling with sleeves

Food and fun

Learning how to carry, open, unpack, and close lunch and snack containers supports motor skills, independence, food, and fun. Here are some playful ways to pack in snack time and 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, and sandwich bags and peeling bananas and oranges

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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Rebecca A. Weiner, M.Ed. is a dynamic educator and creator of Learn Play Grow Educational Consulting. She supports transformational growth for young children with diverse abilities and their families, teachers, and schools through play-based learning, parent and teacher coaching, consulting in schools, and neurodiversity-affirming inclusion support in early childhood programs. Connect with Rebecca at www.learnplaygrowconsulting.com