How Parents Can Help Kids Get Ready for Kindergarten This Summer

Many parents worry about getting their children ready for kindergarten. Dr. Aimee Ketchum, a child development expert, says families can use the summer months to help kids prepare for school. She believes parents have actually been getting their children ready since they were born by reading to them and teaching good manners. Dr. Ketchum works as a pediatric occupational therapist and created a special program to help young children learn.

The most important skills for kindergarten are called "soft skills." These include being able to leave parents without crying and taking care of themselves. Children should be able to put on their own coats and shoes. Dr. Ketchum explains that kids also need to learn how to interact with other children and teachers properly.

Social and emotional skills help children succeed in school. Kids learn these by playing with other children and practicing taking turns. They also need to understand other people's feelings and show empathy. These skills come from spending time with friends and family members in different situations.

Motor skills are another important area for kindergarten readiness. Children should be able to walk, run, hop on one foot, and kick a ball. They also need to throw and catch large balls safely. For school work, kids should hold a pencil correctly and write their names clearly.

While academic skills are not the most important, they still help children feel confident in school. Kids should know how to spell their names and recognize the letters in them. They should also know some letter sounds and be able to count to 20. Simple math skills like understanding "greater than" and "less than" are also helpful for success.