April Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Dear Pre-K Families,

It’s Springtime! A great time to go outside to explore and learn with your child.  Take time to talk to your child about the change in seasons, plus it’s a great time to discuss their transition to kindergarten.

Also, don’t forget to register your child for kindergarten.  For information, visit the MNPS website at: earlylearning.mnps.org/kindergarten.

Warm Wishes, MNPS Early Learning Team

Learning At Home

Each month this section will feature a recommended book and activity for families.

Transitioning to kindergarten is a big step for you and your child. It’s an exciting time and there will be new, positive changes in your child’s life. To support you in discussing this transition with your child we recommend reading The Tiny Seed by Eric Carl.

After reading the book, talk with your child about the seed’s journey. Ask your child what they think helped the seed grow. Then, work with your child to identify tools for measuring time, temperature, and their weight/height.

ACTIVITY: “Counting Seeds”

On a blank paper make 10 boxes and number each individual box 1 - 10 (i.e., 1, 2, 3, etc.).  You will also need a handful of beans or seeds. Count out the number of seeds/beans that should be in each box with your child.

Important Dates

• April 3: Spring Holiday (District Closed)
• May 2: 2026 MNPS Countdown to Kindergarten Fair - Free Event for Families!
• May 5: Stockpiled Day (Students do not report)

Save the Date: 2026 MNPS Countdown to Kindergarten Fair Saturday, May 2, 2026 (9am - 1pm) at Lentz Public Health Center. Free event!

Family Connect

MNPS Early Learning has a webpage that provides information, resources and activities to help your family get ready for kindergarten!  Families can find activities to support learning at home throughout the school year and during the summer:

• Kindergarten Readiness Tip Sheet
• K-Readiness Monthly Activity Calendar
• Summer Activity Guide
• And more.

To access the website, visit: https://earlylearning.mnps.org/kindergarten/get-ready-forkindergarten

Family Support Corner

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the way children and adults learn to recognize and manage their emotions, learn to show care and concern for others, make friends and develop relationships with children and adults, and learn to problem solve and make responsible choices.

Social Emotional Learning provides life longs skills that help children be successful in school and for a lifetime. Social Emotional skills build resiliency in children – the ability to face challenges and overcome adversities throughout life.

Here are some activities/tips to support SEL:

• Reading a book together and talk about the characters
• Eating dinner together
• Talking/singing in car, on bus
• Hugs, high fives, kisses, winks, thumbs-up
• Asking your child about his/her day
• Letting your child be your special helper (helping with dinner, etc.)
• Playing together
• Encourage & compliment them when they are successful
• doing a task family support corner

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Making simple additions to your family’s daily routine can assist with your child’s transition into kindergarten. 

• Practice consistent bedtime routines with your child, including reading a bedtime story, brushing their teeth, and changing into pajamas.
• If your child will be a school bus rider, walk with your child to their future bus stop so that they will be comfortable doing it when the school year starts.
• Play games like “Simon Says” to support following directions.
• Speak positively and encourage a healthy discussion about going to kindergarten with your child.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip

The 2026-27 MNPS kindergarten registration opened on January 26th. Current MNPS Pre-K Families: Register for kindergarten through the Campus Parent Portal.

New MNPS Families: Register for kindergarten through the MNPS Online Registration Portal.

If a language other than English is spoken in your home, families can register online and if you need registration assistance, families can contact the MNPS English Learners (EL) Office. MNPS EL Office Contact Information: (615) 259-8608 or ELReg@mnps.org.

Free Text Message Activities for Babies & Toddlers 

Sign up for FREE texts with activities & tips to support families with children 0-3 years old. Text “MNPS” to 70138. Learn more earlylearning.mnps.org/birth-to-three.