Welcome to Kindergarten Readiness Tips and Resources

This page is dedicated to helping students in RVA be fully prepared for their first day of school.  Here you will find a variety of information aimed to help you prepare your child for starting school, and where to reach out if your child needs extra support.

RVA Teachers have identified the top areas they would like to see students have experience in prior to starting kindergarten. Below are links to suggestions on working on fine motor skills, building a routine, and self-regulation to help your child prepare for school - the top areas identified as important for kindergarten by the teachers doing this work. 

Fine Motor Activities to Do at Home

Activities you can engage your child in to strengthen the muscles in their hands and build foundational skills needed for writing and using classroom tools and materials

 

Strategies to Build a Routine 

Use these strategies to help children learn basic daily routines needed to thrive in school and beyond

 

Sensory Strategies and Self-Regulation

Strategies to help children have a calm body and mind where they are ready to learn 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

I am concerned about my child's development. Who should I contact?

For concerns related to your child's development, please first contact your pediatrician. 

If you have concerns about your child's development and they are under the age of 3, you should contact your pediatrician and can also reach out to the Infant toddler connection of VA. This is a link to their website:

https://itcva.online/

If you have concerns about your child's development and they are age 3 or above, you should contact your pediatrician and your local school system, for RVA city families:

RPS families - call Preschool Reception and Diagnostic Services:

804-780-8058

What skills are most important to have before starting kindergarten?

Based on a survey sent to all RPS kindergarten teachers, responses showed that the following were considered most important by teacher self report:

- Activities of Daily Living skills (toileting, dressing, feeding yourself, etc.), and being able to follow structure and a routine

- Having some basic academic knowledge such as identifying one's name, letters, numbers, colors

- Being able to follow basic classroom rules such as waiting your turn, sharing, etc. 

Children can practice all of this if they are able to attend preschool!

What can I do as a parent to help my child?

First and foremost, always contact your pediatrician if you have concerns. 

To help your child prepare, one of the most suggested ways by RVA teachers is to enroll them in a preschool program where they can learn and grow to prepare them for kindergarten.

Location

Kindergarten Readiness Tips and Resources

Created by Justine Zinskie, MS, OTR/L 

VCU VA LEND Trainee 
Richmond, VA

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