Each year, more than 80,000 children in Washington state enter kindergarten. It’s a big step and an exciting time for children and families. And as your child gets closer to entering school, you will regularly hear phrases like “school readiness,” “ready to learn,” “ready for school” or “readiness skills.”
Children who are "ready" have specific skills and information that will help them succeed in school.
They…
- are excited about learning
- are able to work with others
- are familiar with books, letters, sounds, shapes, colors and numbers
- take care of their personal needs, such as putting on a coat or going to the bathroom by themselves
- follow simple directions
- stay focused on an activity for 15 minutes or more
- do large and small muscle activities, such as cut with scissors or ride a tricycle
But school readiness is about much more than whether an individual child is ready. Many people have a role to play in ensuring children enter kindergarten ready to be successful!
Thrive by Five Washington and our public partners, the state Department of Early Learning and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, believe the kindergarten readiness equation is:
Ready children + Ready schools + Ready parents and families + Ready communities = SUCCESS
And we’re working together to support families, parents, schools and communities in helping children succeed on the first day of school and every day beyond.
