What IS Kindergarten Readiness?

True, effective communication is based on real, authentic connection.  

When I really need a kiddo to hear me I touch my nose and say, “look at my nose so I know you can hear me”.  They often giggle, sometimes look at me funny as they get the joke, but I always get what I needed: their attention. 

Attention is a gateway to connection, and I need to connect with them before I can expect them to listen to my words.

And it's those consistent connection points that allow us to positively influence and teach our children the self-skills they need to be successful in the world. 

But what does ‘world-ready’ even mean? 

What skills DO they need to be successful in preschool, Kindergarten, and beyond? 

And what, exactly, does success look and sound like?

I remember what it felt like the day I brought my girls to their first day of school. Were they ready? Honestly, I wasn’t sure. My years teaching pre-k and Kindergarten showed me what really mattered and it had nothing to do with

How many letters they knew

How many colors they could label

How high they could count

Because their teacher didn't care about that. Her job was to teach them those things. 

She wanted to know if they could:

Stay calm and advocate for themselves in a small-group of other kids their own age.

Sit for short periods of time and focus while someone else talked.

To hear a friend tell them ‘no’ and use words to respond instead of hitting, kicking, or crying.

To show independence in the classroom while knowing when to ask for help if they needed it.

She wanted them to show up a WHOLE child ready to learn in every area of the classroom.

And yours do too.  

Your Covid babies aren’t babies anymore. They are pre-schoolers and Kindergartners and we are just starting to understand the massive impact social isolation had on their early learning years.

It's what inspired me to create my Pandemic Mom's School Readiness Mini-Course teaching the 5 executive functioning skills for success in school and life.

Listen to Episode 118 Kindergarten Readiness - 3 Skills Teachers Really Want to See with Zeba McGibbon to learn more about preparing your littles one for success in school and beyond. 

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed is mom to three girls, a Vermont based Early Childhood Educator, Collaborative Parenting Coach, and the founder of Core4Parenting. She is the passionate mastermind behind the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™, a birth-to-five, soul and science based framework that empowers toddler parents and educators  to turn tantrums into teachable moments. Through keynotes, teacher training, and her top-ranking podcast, Transforming the Toddler Years, she’s teaching the 5 Executive Functioning Skills kids need to navigate our ever-changing world.