Kindergarten Skills You Can Practice BEFORE Kindergarten

Starting kindergarten will be an exciting and valuable experience for your child. One of the best ways to prepare your child for the next school year is to practice some of the skills he or she will need once school starts. Knowing what to practice with your child now will help him or her make an easier transition in the fall. Check out this list of simple, fun activities that practice kindergarten skills!

Recognizing Colors

Color Book

A color book is a fun and easy way to practice colors. What’s nice about this craft is that it is fairly inexpensive! All you need are a few paint color swatches, markers, a hole punch, some string, glue and stickers to decorate if you’d like!

For step by step directions click here!

Photo from Craftulate

Giving and Borrowing

Little Free Libraries

Little Free Libraries are a great way to practice giving and borrowing from others. Little Free Libraries allow you to take a book, and in return, you donate a book to the library. This is a great opportunity for your child to read new books and share his/her favorite books with other children in the community.

To locate the nearest Little Free Library click here!

Photo from United Way

Numbers and Counting

Clothes Pin Counting

This activity allows young learners to practice not only counting, but  fine motor skills that will be so important in kindergarten. The only materials you need for this activity are a few clothes pins, a paper plate, markers, and possibly scissors. This activity can also be altered to practice the letters of the alphabet instead of numbers!

To view instructions for this activity click here.

Photo from Teach Mama

Identifying Shapes

Shape Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun way for your little one to practice identifying shapes and will allow them to get to know your community. All you need is a pencil, paper and something to write or draw the different shapes you notice all over town.

To see full instructions click here.

Photo from Education.com

All of these activities require very few materials and allow for plenty of space for learning. In this case, less is more! During the summer months, when schedules are not as concrete, look for simple ways to incorporate practicing the skills that will be important in kindergarten. The more your child practices now, the more comfortable he or she will be once school starts!