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kindergarten

If you're like most parents — including me — you worry. Are my kids hitting the right milestones? Are they ready for what's next?

As a parent and an Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, I found myself asking the same question as my boys prepared for Kindergarten: Are my boys ready for kindergarten?

That question is what started this.

Every parent worries

and every parent wants to do everything they can to set their child up for success.

That's exactly why we created this guide. Not to add to your plate — but to give you something simple and practical to hold onto as kindergarten gets closer. You've got this.

What Illinois Kindergarten Actually Expects

The Illinois State Board of Education sets learning goals — called standards — across seven areas, not just reading and math. Kindergarten is about the whole child. Your child does not need to arrive knowing everything on this list. That's what the entire year is for.

What your child will work on

Reading &

Language

Recognize letters A–Z, blend sounds into words, understand stories read aloud, begin writing words and sentences

Math

Count to 100, write numbers 0–20, add and subtract small numbers, sort shapes and compare sizes

Science

Ask questions about the world, explore how things move, notice weather and seasons

Social Emotional

Name and manage feelings, build friendships, follow classroom rules, work with others

Social Studies

Understand rules in groups, learn what it means to be a community member

Physical Health

Build motor skills, understand healthy habits, practice personal safety

All of this can feel overwhelming & tough to know where to focus.

4 Basic Skills to Practice Before Kindergarten

Feelings & Self-Control

Name feelings out loud together
Practice belly breathing when upset
Say "I hear you" before solving
Use a Feelings Chart each morning
Celebrate when they use their words

Following Directions

Get at eye level before you speak
Use "First… then…" language
Ask them to repeat it back
Build a morning routine with pictures
Celebrate when they follow through

Playing With Others

Have playdates with 1–2 kids
Role-play "Can I play too?"
Visit storytime or the park
Talk about what a good friend does
Practice being a good sport

Focus & Attention

Use a timer (start at 5 min)
Read aloud 10–15 min every day
Turn off background TV during play
Do puzzles, Legos, or coloring
Encourage them to finish what they start

A note from our Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

The biggest predictor of kindergarten success isn't whether a child can read — it's whether they can manage their feelings, wait their turn, and stay with a task. These aren't things that happen overnight, but small, consistent moments at home add up faster than you think. Every bedtime routine, every board game, every walk to the park is practice.

PRACTICE makes progress

Play a game as a family. Every time your child waits their turn without complaining — celebrate it.

That's a real kindergarten skill in action.

One thing that surprises parents most:

Kindergartners are expected to focus on one task for up to 20 minutes. Fast-moving screen content works against this — slow, hands-on activities are your best friend for building attention spans before school starts.

REady Set kindergarten