Kindergarten Countdown: Your guide to making the transition smooth and stress-free

All photos courtesy of KinderCare Learning Centers. 

It’s that time of year again: Kindergarten registration forms are being submitted, school assessments are getting booked, and parents everywhere are thinking about checklists, school tours and endless questions. Is my child ready? Should they be reading already? What if they still struggle with separation anxiety?

According to Lauren Warner, a Pennsylvania-based KinderCare pre-K teacher with nearly two decades of experience, preparing for kindergarten isn’t about drilling sight words or counting to 100.

“All children develop at their own pace, and I think it is important to remember that as educators, both in early childhood and public education, it is our number one priority to meet each child where they are at in their development,” Warner says.

What does it really mean to be “kindergarten-ready”? Warner, recently named one of KinderCare Learning Companies’ 2025 Educational Excellence award winners, shares expert insights on navigating this big step with confidence.

What Kindergarten Teachers Actually Look For
Many parents assume that children need to read fluently or count to high numbers before kindergarten. But Warner says that’s simply not the case.

“I have heard many times that families believe their child should be reading and counting to 100 before they begin kindergarten,” she says. “The pressure of accomplishing these goals is often too great at times, and the families lose sight of what early education is about: to foster children’s exploration of learning and desire to learn.”

Instead of pressuring kids to master skills they’re not developmentally ready for, Warner encourages parents to focus on basic self-help skills, social-emotional growth and curiosity about learning.

“Readiness is not only measured academically, but socially and emotionally, too,” she explains. “Children should possess basic self-help abilities, display self-confidence, and feel at ease when apart from their families.”

To help build these skills, Warner recommends incorporating learning into everyday tasks:

Practice following directions. Turn household chores into games: “Can you put your toys away and then come to the table?”
Encourage independence. Let your child dress themselves, put on shoes, or help set the table.
Teach patience and turn-taking. Play simple board games, let them help in the kitchen or practice waiting their turn in conversation.

“These everyday moments help children gain confidence and prepare for structured classroom environments,” Warner says.

Building Early Literacy and Math Skills, Naturally

Rather than drilling letters and numbers, Warner encourages parents to weave early literacy and math into daily routines.

“Incorporating literacy and math into children’s daily routines and play is the simplest way to help build these skills,” she says.

For literacy:
Read every day. “For literacy skills, read every day! Talk about the pictures in the books and ask/answer questions about what they are reading.”
Point out letters in real life. Spot letters on street signs, grocery packages, and menus.
Let them ‘read’ to you. Even if they’re making up a story, they’re engaging with books in a positive way.

For math:
Make snack time a counting game. “For math skills, cooking and preparing meals and snacks. Have your child measure out ingredients for a recipe and/or have them count out the number of food items they can take when enjoying a meal/snack.”
Sort and compare objects. Have them group toys by color, size, or shape.
Use real-world math. Count stairs as you walk up, compare prices at the store, or ask, “How many apples do we need?”

“The key is to make learning part of their world rather than something they ‘have to do,’” Warner says.

Easing Separation Anxiety: The Goodbye Game Plan

One of the biggest challenges at the start of kindergarten isn’t academic — it’s emotional.

“Creating a routine and sticking to it always helps,” Warner advises. “Many families think that sneaking out when their child is occupied is best, but I can assure you that it is not.”

Instead, Warner suggests a consistent, reassuring goodbye ritual:

Keep goodbyes short and predictable. “Telling them ‘goodbye’ or even ‘see you soon’ with an accompanying kiss, hug or high five assures them that you will be back.”

Share your child’s preferences with the teacher. “Families should also let their child’s teacher know some of their likes and dislikes and favorite toys to play with. This way, the teacher can prepare and have items available, if needed, to help eliminate some of the anxiety.”

“The more they get used to the routine, the easier it will get,” Warner says.

What If My Child Didn’t Attend Preschool?

Not all children attend preschool, but Warner assures parents that there are many ways to prepare at home.

“Early childhood education and the work early educators do, in my opinion, plays a critical role in any child’s development,” she says. “But for families who cannot attend an early education program, your work at home is just as important in preparing your child for kindergarten!”

Simple ways to build social skills include:

Schedule playdates. Helps with turn-taking and social interaction.
Go to the library for story hour. Introduces them to group learning.
Take them on outings. Grocery stores, parks, and museums expose them to new experiences and settings.

“These experiences teach children how to navigate the world, which is a huge part of kindergarten readiness,” Warner says.

Making the First Weeks of Kindergarten Smoother

Even well-prepared kids may struggle with the first few weeks of school. Warner shares her go-to strategies for a smoother transition:

Give kids small choices. “In the mornings, allow them to help pick out what they will wear and/or pack their lunch or choose their lunch option the night before. This helps things to run smoothly and eliminate stressors.”
Create a consistent morning routine. “Make a plan to enjoy breakfast together while sharing what they are excited for and sharing positive affirmations with each other. This will be helpful with building confidence.”
Stay connected with teachers. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to your child’s teacher with questions and for support.”
Reflect on the day together. “At the end of the day, allow time to share dinner together and share how their day went. Ask open-ended questions and talk about the peaks (positive things) and valleys (harder moments) of the day. This will help your child with problem-solving and persevering when things get tough.”