Kindergarten Readiness
Welcome to the Lorain City Schools family! This guide is designed to support both parents and preschool providers in preparing our youngest learners for a successful start in kindergarten. At Lorain City Schools, we believe in nurturing the whole child through engaging, rigorous, and supportive learning experiences. We are committed to partnering with you on this important journey.
Ready to Thrive: Skills for Kindergarten Success
Building Social & Emotional Foundations
These skills help children navigate classroom relationships and build confidence as learners.
- Uses words to solve problems or express needs
- Shows kindness and respect toward others
- Adjusts to new situations with growing confidence
- Attempts new tasks, understanding that mistakes are part of learning
- Follows directions and completes activities
- Takes responsibility for personal belongings
- Demonstrates self-control and expresses feelings appropriately
- Participates in group activities and classroom responsibilities
- Follows simple safety rules and routines
Family Tip: Encourage independence by allowing your child to dress themselves, clean up after playtime, and solve simple problems with gentle guidance.
Developing Physical Skills
Strong motor skills support everything from writing to playground participation.
- Uses pencils, crayons, and scissors with increasing control
- Completes simple puzzles and builds with blocks
- Practices self-care skills like handwashing and bathroom independence
- Bounces, throws, and catches balls
- Enjoys active play like running, jumping, and climbing
- Attempts to tie shoes with practice
Provider Tip: Offer daily opportunities for both fine motor work (beading, playdough, drawing) and gross motor play (obstacle courses, dance, outdoor exploration).
Discovering Mathematical Thinking
Math concepts help children understand their world and develop logical thinking.
- Counts objects correctly to 10 (and beyond if ready)
- Recognizes written numbers 1-10
- Understands concepts like more/less, big/small, same/different
- Sorts and groups objects by attributes (color, size, shape)
- Identifies basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
- Creates and extends simple patterns
- Uses comparison words like "bigger," "smaller," "more," "less"
- Shows beginning understanding of addition and subtraction concepts
Family Tip: Incorporate counting into daily activities—count steps as you walk, snacks as you share them, or items as you put them away.
Growing as Communicators
Strong language skills form the foundation for reading and social connection.
- Speaks clearly in complete sentences
- Understands and follows 1-2 step directions
- Uses descriptive language to share ideas and needs
- Enjoys books, stories, songs, and rhymes
- Asks questions and expresses curiosity
- Retells simple stories or personal experiences
- Listens attentively in conversations and group activities
Family Tip: Talk, talk, talk! Describe what you're doing during daily routines, ask open-ended questions, and have meaningful conversations with your child every day.
Exploring Early Literacy
These pre-reading skills prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
- Shows interest in books and stories
- Recognizes many letters, especially those in their name
- Understands that print carries meaning
- Identifies some letter sounds
- Recognizes and creates rhyming words
- Attempts to write their name and other important words
- Retells stories in sequence
- Makes connections between stories and experiences
Provider Tip: Create print-rich environments where children see words connected to objects and ideas, and provide daily opportunities for children to engage with books independently and through read-alouds.
Wondering About Our World
Science, arts, and social studies skills encourage curiosity and creative thinking.
- Asks questions about the natural world
- Notices patterns and relationships in the environment
- Explores creative materials and expresses ideas through art
- Moves to music and explores musical concepts
- Recognizes family and cultural traditions
- Shows interest in different places and people
- Uses imagination in play and storytelling
Provider Tip: Support wonder by providing open-ended materials, asking thought-provoking questions, and giving children time to explore and discover at their own pace.
Preparing for the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
What is the KRA-R?
The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Revised is a tool teachers use to understand your child's strengths and needs at the beginning of kindergarten. It is not a test to rank children or identify disabilities/giftedness.
Key Points
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Assessment Areas: Social skills, language and literacy, mathematics, and physical well-being/motor development
- Timing: Administered before the 20th day of instruction
- Assessment Methods:
- Teachers observe children during normal activities
- Children select answers to questions
- Children perform simple requested tasks
- Purpose: Helps teachers and families work together to support your child's learning
Remember
- Most children develop unevenly - stronger in some areas, still developing in others
- Your child may not even realize they're being assessed
- The results help teachers personalize instruction for your child
For Community Preschool Directors & Educators
Are you helping prepare children for kindergarten success? Our comprehensive resource guide offers research-backed strategies aligned with the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA-R).
What You'll Find in Our Resource Guide:
- A Developmental Appropriate Framework - Clear outlines of key social, language, mathematics, and motor skills children need before kindergarten
- Environmental Design Tips - How to create learning spaces that foster independence and skill development
- Progress Monitoring Tools - Simple methods to track children's growth in KRA-R domains
Why This Matters
When community preschools and kindergarten classrooms align their approaches, children experience smoother transitions and greater early success. Together, we can ensure every child enters kindergarten confident and prepared.
OUR ONLINE RESOURCE GUIDE!
Why Choose Lorain City Schools for Your Kindergartner?
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Rigorous, Engaging Curriculum: Our balanced approach ensures academic growth while honoring how young children learn best—through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences.
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Expert, Caring Teachers: Our kindergarten teachers are highly qualified professionals who understand child development and create warm, stimulating learning environments.
- Strong School-Home Connections: We believe families are essential partners in education and offer multiple ways to stay connected and involved.
- Comprehensive Support: From specialized instruction to social-emotional resources, we wrap each child in the support they need to thrive.
- Smooth Transitions: We work closely with preschool providers to ensure a seamless journey into kindergarten for every child.
When we arrived at Helen Steiner Rice in the fall of 2020—still navigating the challenges of COVID—I worried that online learning would be too difficult for him. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to stay on task or complete the program successfully. Thankfully, we were blessed with an AMAZING preschool teacher, and every staff member we interacted with made the transition and learning experience so much smoother for our family. Now, my son is in third grade, thriving in gifted classes, and reading and writing at his grade level. The dedication, understanding, and love this school shows its students truly make a difference in their learning. I couldn’t be happier with the education my son is receiving at Helen Steiner Rice Elementary—best school ever!
—Parent of a Helen Steiner Rice Elementary student