5 ways to prepare your child for kindergarten

This story was updated on August 20, 2026.

For parents and children alike, the first day of kindergarten can be a big — and sometimes scary — event.

Not only does the milestone help foster new growth in social skills and self-reliance, but it can shape attitudes toward school attendance and the learning process for years to come.

"We know that if kids get off on the right foot, it does set the tone for how they expect school to go in the future," says Jessica Fealy, M.D., a Pediatrician at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Laying this groundwork should begin well before a child enters a classroom.

The preparatory steps that families can take together are simple.

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Fealy, herself a mother of three, offered some tips to ensure a smooth, successful start.

Tips to transition kids to kindergarten

Get more sleep

Being ready for school means being well rested. 

A few weeks before school starts, work on getting back on a school year sleep routine. 

Counterintuitively, it’s easier to adjust bedtime by waking up earlier.

Gradually wake up 15 min earlier every few days until you reach your school year goal.

Concurrently work on backing up bedtime by 15 min the same way.  

If your child isn’t use to waking up and getting out the door in the morning it’s helpful for everyone to practice waking up, getting dressed and fed at the proper hour to avoid hiccups on the first day.  

Bonus points for practicing the walk to school or the bus stop.  

Sufficient sleep is even more vital once school starts. 

Fealy recalls her children all being “exhausted—like fall asleep on the bus tired!" at night due to the hustle and bustle of kindergarten. 

She advises limiting other activities that week and being flexible to permit an earlier bedtime if needed. 

 Kids can boost motor skills by learning to hold a crayon, pencil or glue stick (making collages by cutting magazines or ads with safety scissors is a good way to practice, Fealy says). 

A child should also be able to recite their full name, at least one parent’s name, and their address and phone number.

She recommends that parents pick one cell phone number to focus on teaching their child; some families find chunking it and making it a password on a device as a helpful technique.

 Embrace positivity

Although separation anxiety is natural for both parties, the split needn't be traumatic. 

Parents, Fealy says, can diffuse the unease by staying calm themselves; kids often sense those mixed emotions and will respond accordingly.

Helping pick out school supplies or a special outfit to wear also could be a motivator.  As can planning a special “first day of school” celebration for the end of the day—their favorite dinner, a new book, or special treat.  

 And the enthusiasm should continue all year: Ask your kids to find one good thing to share about their day each night at dinner, Fealy suggests.

 "School should be exciting and fun."

 Adapt to challenges

Anyone who's a parent knows that even the best preparation doesn’t always go as planned.  

Not every child is excited about kindergarten or loves their first day of school; but they can still be successful at school in the future.  

Be patient and supportive of your child, they may need extra snuggles and time to adjust.  

Adding a little extra time in the routine can allow for unpredictability.  

Ultimately staying calm and consistent, even if they’re dramatic, while they adjust to the change is usually successful.  

Talking to your child’s teacher about what’s working well and what’s not may also be useful; they have done this before and often have excellent strategies.  

Be patient with your child—and yourself—as you all adjust to the change.  

You’ll get there!