When your child is about to start primary school or kindergarten, many parents begin to question their decision: Am I sure that my child is ready? Is it too late to start preparations during summer? How else can I help? And these concerns are completely valid.

Below, we are going to discuss what getting ready for kindergarten means and what you, as a parent, can do to make this journey smoother for both your child and yourself.

What Should a Kid Know Before Kindergarten?

Kindergarten readiness isn’t just about reading skills or counting to 100. You’ll see that although some kids are inherently good at following directions and maintaining their attention throughout activities, others struggle with socialization or organization during this period.

What can you teach your child first? Here are five other core skill areas that can help build confidence and preparedness before entering kindergarten.

1. Attention and concentration

Even adults find it difficult to focus and sit still. However, it’s a necessary aspect of life in a classroom with rules. Fortunately, like reading and counting, attention is something you can develop.

How to help:

• Play games such as “Spot the Difference” or “What’s Missing?”
• Play puzzles together.
• Break activities into small steps. You can say, “Let’s draw a house, then add a tree.”
• Always compliment any effort. Finishing the task is already a big step. Especially if a child completes it without your help.
• Do not interrupt your child if they are playing a game or doing any activity that requires their full attention. Let them finish. That’s how concentration grows.

2. Daily Routine and Organization

One of the big steps in the preparation is getting used to getting ready in the mornings.

How to help:

• Make a simple routine, just step by step. Start your list with waking up, brushing teeth, making the bed, and having breakfast. The last step would be getting dressed and putting on shoes to leave home.
• In their free time, give small tasks to a kid, like picking up their toys or choosing an outfit.

3. Following Rules

Even if a kindergarten usually means a playful learning environment, children need to understand boundaries and follow simple rules.

Try this:

• Follow instructions and put a toy or LEGO set together.
• Read your child aloud a step-by-step recipe and make a salad together.
• Play the First, then game. The rules are simple. Choose any activity and let a kid say what the activity is, followed by. For example, brush teeth → then story time.

When it comes to their children’s education in particular, parents always want the best for them. If you’re thinking about relocating or simply curious about other early education systems, learn more about preschool education in Russia.

4. Decision-Making

“Should I wear a hoodie or a jacket?” may seem like a minor choice, but allowing your child to make such decisions is part of growing into a confident learner.

Tips:

• Give your child two options. You can ask anything: what to wear, what to have for dinner, where to go on the weekend.
• Ask open-ended questions: “What would you do if someone took your toy?”
• Encourage them to voice opinions and find solutions, even during play.

5. Responsibility for Belongings

Your child will soon be responsible for toys, clothes, and other small belongings. Yes, they’ll forget them at first, and that’s okay. What matters is building the habit early.

Try this:

• Discuss that each thing has a home. For example, a pencil goes into a pencil case. The second pair of shoes is always in their locker.

How to Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten?

Summer is ideal for easing into new routines without overwhelming your child. There’s no need for two-hour sessions. Just a few daily minutes of thoughtful interaction will do.

Simple learning activities:

• Count nearby items: apples, cars, books.
• Read signs aloud on the street or in shops.
• Every time you go grocery shopping together, compare prices and shapes of different items.
• Talk about the kindergarten experience. This can include how to make friends, how to ask for help, and what the day looks like.

Do you know that there are pre-school programs based on international curricula? Yes, one example is the early years program offered in the British International School in Moscow (https://bismoscow.com), which follows the best standards of British educational schools. These programs and teachers can help children develop foundational skills and give brilliant opportunities for their future.

Getting Ready For a Kindergarten Emotionally

The truth is, emotional readiness is just as important as learning skills, if not more.

What helps:

• Celebrate any efforts of your child, their small and big victories, to make preschoolers feel stronger, more confident, and independent.
• Give them a little time to think before stepping in to help. You need to be patient and attentive.
• Talk about mistakes kindly and openly, like asking, “Why do you think this happened?”. Do not put extra pressure on your kid.
• Teach them how to think things through, make choices, and adjust when things change. Most of all, let them know you believe in them. That support means everything.

And be always there for your child. Support and believe in them. This is the main factor of success!