Young Duval County Public Schools student holding a marker in his hand in a classroom

Dec. 11, 2024 – Without question, the transition into kindergarten is an exciting time for families as students take an important first step in their academic journey. Yet for many parents, this time of transition can raise many questions:  

  • How do I get my child ready for kindergarten?  

  • What does my child need to know before kindergarten?  

  • What can I do to ease the transition?  

The good news? Preparing your child for kindergarten doesn’t have to be difficult. With proper planning and intentionality, parents can begin empowering their students with simple, practical strategies designed to foster a much smoother transition.  

For more insight, we consulted with Sonya McSwain, Duval County Public Schools’ Director of Early Childhood. Through the Parent Academy course “Up, Up, & Away! Tips for a Successful Transition to Kindergarten,” McSwain shares a variety of kindergarten readiness strategies ranging from bedtime routines to confidence-building skills. We’re breaking down her top tips below.  

 

#1 – Teach Your Child Their Name, Address, and Other Identifying Information 

McSwain says children should have a good handle on basic identifying information before entering the classroom. This includes: 

  • Their first and last name 

  • Their home address 

  • Their parents’ first and last name 

  • Their parents’ contact information  

  • The name of their school 

  • If they have siblings attending the same school, children should know their names, grades, and teachers 

 

#2 – Have Your Student Practice Writing Their Name 

Teaching your child how to write their names will do more than just reinforce their identity – it will also help your child learn fine motor skills.  As your child learns to write their name, they’re also learning how to master writing with a pencil, marker, or crayon. 

 

#3 – Introduce Your Child to School Supplies and Classroom Tools 

Speaking of increasing fine motor skills, parents can expect kindergarten students to use a variety of school supplies for the first time. To help your child ease into these new skills, McSwain suggests helping your child practice using the following items: 

  • Scissors 

  • Crayons 

  • Markers 

  • Pencils 

  • Rulers 

  • Puzzles 

  • Legos  

  • Math counting tools 

Crown Point Elementary boy and girl at desks writing on white boards

#4 – Engage in Independent Activities 

As students enter kindergarten, they’ll be learning to do more things on their own. One way parents can help students transition to this new way of work is by encouraging independent activity. McSwain advises setting aside 10–15-minute blocks for your child to engage in activities on their own, such as: 

  • Reading 

  • Writing 

  • Drawing 

  • Playing  

 

#5 – Teach Students to Manage Their Own Belongings 

From bookbags to folders, kindergartners will be expected to manage their own belongings. Parents can teach their students to: 

  • Manage their bookbags, helping them understand that this is how teachers will send home notes, forms, assignments, and more.  

  • Manage their lunchboxes, understanding they’re being sent to school with lunch, snacks, and drinks.  

  • Manage their clothing, giving them a chance to pick out their clothing for the week ahead. 

 

#6 – Emphasize Following Directions and Household Rules 

It’s simple: if students know how to follow rules at home, then they will know how to follow rules in the classroom. It’s why McSwain says parents should reinforce responsible behavior at home. This can include everyday tasks like:  

  • Having students practice putting things away in the right place 

  • Having students practice cleaning up after themselves 

“If they’re able to do that at home with you, those things translate to the school community as well and they’re able to do those things successfully at school as well,” encourages McSwain.  

 

#7 – Establish Routines and Rituals 

When it comes to the power of routines and rituals, research paints a clear picture. According to a 2023 review, routines “are associated with positive developmental outcomes in children, covering cognitive, self-regulation, social–emotional, academic skills, and overall mental and physical health.”  

McSwain adds, “Routines protect and help children feel safer because they know what to expect.” 

McSwain advises parents to spend 15-20 minutes with children as they introduce new routines. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important routines for kindergarten students: 

 

Morning Routines for Kindergarten Students 

By having a set morning routine, McSwain says parents will help students reduce anxiety and begin the day with a positive mindset. 

When making your morning routine, consider the following: 

  • Aim to be ready before your child wakes up  

  • Plan ahead the night before (for example, picking out clothes in the evening) 

  • Begin practicing early – even on the weekends – so that the routine becomes a habit by the first week of school. 

Here's an example morning routine: 

  • 7:00 a.m.: Wake up  

  • 7:15 a.m.: Breakfast 

  • 7:30 a.m.: Get dressed, brush teeth, brush hair 

  • 8:45 a.m.: Pack up backpack and put on shoes 

  • 8:00 a.m.: Out the door and in the car 

 

Bedtime Routines for Kindergarten Students 

Perhaps the most important thing parents can do is to determine an appropriate bedtime for the child and stick to it. McSwain says as a rule of thumb: 

  • Three to five-year-olds need 10.5 to 11.5 hours of sleep each night 

When making your bedtime routine: 

  • Have children stop watching TV, playing games, and using tablets or phones at least an hour before bedtime. All of these items and activities stimulate students’ brains. 

  • Practice the Four B’s at least thirty minutes before bedtime: Bath, Brush, Book, Bed. 

  • Remember, it will take time to establish a bedtime routine and adjust to the change. So begin practicing early! 

Here’s an example bedtime routine: 

  • 7:00 p.m.: Start to wind down  

  • 7:15 p.m. Take a bath 

  • 7:30 p.m.: Brush teeth 

  • 7:35 p.m.: Go potty, change into pajamas, and get in bed 

  • 7:45 p.m.: Read a book 

  • 8:00 p.m.: Bedtime 

Mayport Elementary students on swings on playground

Drop off and Pickup Routines for Kindergarten Students 

It’s important to begin speaking to your child about how they’ll be getting to and from school, whether that means riding in a car, walking, or riding the bus. To best prepare: 

  • Have conversations ahead of time about what the drop off and pick up will look like 

  • Do a practice run, and make your child aware of each step 

  • Familiarize yourself with your school’s procedures and protocols for walkers, car riders, and bus riders.  

 

Kindergarten students are supervised during dismissal 

Duval County Public Schools parents can be assured that at the end of the school day, kindergarten students will be supervised by adults as they leave the classroom and head home. Specific adults are assigned to walk kindergarten students to their respective dismissal areas, whether that be the bus, the car line, to a parent, relative, etc. Once students are in their designated dismissal area, district staff will use the PikMyKid app to check them off as they’re released.  

 

#8 – Prepare Your Child for Riding the Bus  

Duval County Public Schools’ Transportation Department has specific rules and guidelines for kindergarten students riding the bus. Here’s what parents need to know and do in advance: 

  • Register for a school bus ahead of time. Information about your child’s bus will be available in focus only if you’ve registered  

  • Complete the kindergarten dismissal form and submit it to your child’s school. This must be filled out in order for your student to ride the bus, as bus drivers will only transport kindergartners with forms. 

  • Practice going to and from the bus stop to help your child identify their stop 

  • All elementary schools have been given red tags to help identify kindergarten students. Once you receive your tag, keep it attached to your child’s backpack. 

  • Have the following information written in your child’s backpack or planner: 

  • Student name 

  • School attending 

  • Bus number and bus stop location 

Families should also be aware of the special accommodations in place for kindergarten bus riders:  

  • Kindergarten students will be asked to sit up front by the driver, even if accompanied by an older sibling. Make sure your child knows they must remain up front and should never move or sit in the back. 

  • Bus drivers will never drop off students at stops without an adult to receive them. If a situation arises where an adult is not at a bus stop to meet the student, the driver will continue the route and have the dispatcher notify the school that your child cannot be dropped off.  

 

#9 – Read Books About Starting School with Your Child 

Parents can help prepare students for kindergarten by reading story books about children going to school for the first time. This will allow students to hear about school through different perspectives and characters that they can connect to. Some suggestions include: 

  • The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn 

  • Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes 

  • Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes 

  • Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate 

  • The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing 

  • The Berenstein Bears Go to School by Stan and Jan Berenstein 

  • Clifford Goes to Kindergarten by Norman Bridwell 

  • A Letter From Your Teacher by Shannon Olsen 

  • First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg 

  • On the First Day Of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe 

  • No, David! David Goes to School by David Shannon 

Loretto Elementary Student paints on table top easel in class

#10 – Drive By the School  

You can help your child become accustomed to their new school by driving by and looking at the campus. If you can, get a school map and point out key locations such as the main office, the cafeteria, the playground, and classrooms.  

 

#11 – Participate in the School’s Meet and Greet 

Above all, McSwain encourages families to prioritize attending your kindergarten meet and greet before school opens. This will help your child become more familiar with their teacher, the building, and where they’ll be spending time in the fall. 

 

#12  – Share Your Own Kindergarten Experiences 

It’s natural for children to feel nervous about the transition to kindergarten. To help ease their fears, McSwain suggests parents sit down with students and share what it was like for them to go to school for the first time. 

“If your children know you were able to do it successfully, then they have the tools to do it as well,” says McSwain. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten 

 

How do I enroll my child in kindergarten?  

You can begin the enrollment process online or at any of our schools in five simple steps. Visit our district enrollment page to learn more about the requirements, the necessary documents, and more. Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year opens Dec. 1, 2024.  Call or visit your neighborhood school for assistance. Find your neighborhood school with our school locator tool

 

How old does my child need to be to attend kindergarten in Duval County? 

Your child must be 5 years of age on or before Sep. 1 of the year they are to be enrolled in kindergarten. 

 

How do I find the right school for my child? 

Duval County Public Schools is a school choice district, which means there are many elementary school programs across the city for little learners. To learn more about our schools, visit our kindergarten information page

 

What should my child know academically before entering kindergarten?  

One of the best ways we can answer this question is to address what students are learning in our pre-kindergarten programs (also known as VPK, voluntary pre-kindergarten). By the time students graduate from VPK, they’ve learned:  

  • How to use books (reading left to right, top to bottom) 

  • Beginning reading skills (letters, names, and sounds) 

  • Beginning writing skills 

  • Beginning math skills (basic addition and subtraction, counting)