Science shows that the first five years of life is when the brain grows fastest. 

Preparing a child for kindergarten requires a focus on five areas of development that begin at birth and are influenced by quality early experiences: 

• Physical well-being and motor development

• Social and emotional development

• Cognitive skills

• Language and developing literacy

• The ability to concentrate and follow directions

Investments in early childhood development lay the foundation for school readiness by building these cognitive and character skills that children need to do well in school and in life, including attentiveness, persistence, impulse control and sociability.

Learning to read and write happens long before kindergarten

So, What is Kindergarten Ready?

1. Being able to Identify letters of the alphabet is an important first step in learning to read.
   The "My First BOB Books: Alphabet" series is a fun and easy way to learn the ABCs.

2. Learning how to grip a pencil, crayon, or marker correctly will help your child write more easily and comfortably.
   The "Pinch and Flip" method is a simple and effective way to hold a writing tool.

3. Writing their first name is a great way for your child to practice using upper- and lowercase letters.
   The "Scholastic Early Learners: Write and Wipe Learn to Write" book is a convenient tool for practicing this skill.

4. Learning the sounds associated with vowels and consonants is a crucial part of phonics, which is the foundation of learning to read.
   The "Bob's Book Set #1: Beginning Readers" series is a great tool for learning phonics before starting school or as a supplement to classroom learning.

5. Recognizing common sight words, such as "said" and "do," is an important step in improving reading fluency.
   The "100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages" workbook can help your child memorize these words.

6. Knowing the names of colors and parts of the body is a fun and important skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.
   The "Flash Cards: Colors & Shapes" set is a great way to learn both at the same time.

7. Being able to recognize and produce rhyming words is another important skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.
   Books that feature rhyming and repetition are great for developing phonological awareness.

8. Repeating their full name and birthday is an important skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.

9. Knowing the days of the week and the months of the year is also an important skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.

10. Being able to classify objects according to their size, shape, and quantity is a crucial math skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.
    The "Little Skill Seekers: Sorting & Matching" set is a fun and engaging way for your child to practice this skill.

11. Knowing how to count to 10 is an important math skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.
    The "Scholastic Early Learners: Kindergarten Extra Big Skills Workbook: Math Practice" has enough activities and illustrations to keep your child engaged and learning.

12. Listening attentively without interrupting is an important social skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.

13. Being able to follow multi-step directions is an important comprehension skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.

14. Working well with others is an important skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.
    Books that feature characters working together, such as "Peppa Pig" and "Elephant," can be a great way to teach this lesson.

15. Being able to use art materials, such as scissors, glue, and paint, with ease is an important skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.
    Play and Learn activity kits are a fun and engaging way to learn this skill through crafts and experiments.

16. Knowing how to manage bathroom needs and get dressed independently is an important life skill for your child to have before starting kindergarten.

17. Being able to wash hands.