December Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Welcome Metro Schools Families!

The MNPS Winter Holidays are around the corner! In this newsletter, we feature activities to support at home learning, and information on events for your family during the holiday
season. Also, mark your calendars: 2026-27 Kindergarten Registration opens on January 26, 2026.

If you would like additional supports, please connect with your child’s Pre-K teacher.

Learning At Home

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

Winter is fast approaching, and a fun book to read with your child during the Winter Holiday
is The Mitten by Jan Brett.

After you read the book together, review the book pages with your child and have your
child name the animals in the story. As you look at the animals, work with your child to
identify the differences between the animals. For an additional learning experience, have
your child select an animal from the book and create their own story about that animal. This
will help build your child’s language skills.

ACTIVITY: “Look Out for Animal Tracks”

Use play dough and small toy animals for this activity. Have your child use the small toy
animals to make animal tracks in the “snow” (play dough). Discuss and compare the
different tracks, such as the track’s size and shape. This activity also develops your
child’s fine motor skills.

Important Dates

• December 2: Stockpiled PD Day
• December 19: Half day for all students
• December 22-January 2: Winter Break Holiday (District Closed: Dec. 24-26 & Jan.1)
• January 5: Stockpiled PD Day (Students do not report)
• January 6: Third quarter begins: Students return from Winter Break

Family Connect

Pre-K students are sometimes eager to start writing, and that’s a great opportunity to encourage your child to feel comfortable with learning how to write.

Here are a few tips to support your child:

• Provide your child with crayons and plenty of paper to try to write.
• When you make your next market list, write it out with your child.
• If your child is curious about a word, write it down and encourage your child to copy the word based on sight.
• Don’t worry if the letters are not perfect or the spelling is incorrect. Remember, they’re learning!

Pre-K Building Blocks

It's not too early for Pre-K families to start exploring their child's kindergarten school options. Your family will be receiving information on the MNPS School Options process.

School Options is an opportunity for families to apply to schools that they are not zoned for. To find your child’s MNPS zoned school visit: https://zonefinder.mnps.org/zonefinder

For more information visit: https://mnps.org/learn/registerforschool/school-options

Additional Key Kindergarten Dates:

• January 20, 2026:  2026-27 School Options Application
• January 26, 2026:  2026-27 MNPS Kindergarten Registration Opens
• May 2, 2026:  2026 MNPS Countdown to Kindergarten Fair (Free event for families)

Reminder: If a family applies through the MNPS School Options process, families will still need to register for MNPS kindergarten. MNPS kindergarten registration begins on January 26th, and information will be provided when students return from the Winter Break Holiday.

Current MNPS Pre-K Families: Register now for Campus Parent Portal which supports a seamless kindergarten registration process. Families can use this register for kindergarten through this platform when registration opens on January 26.

For information visit: www.mnps.org/students-families/familyportal.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip

Routines are important for Pre-K students during the Winter Holiday break. Prior to the break, explain to your child how long he/she will be out of school, and what will be happening instead (i.e. different routines, who will be watching them at home, etc.).

During the break remember to maintain regular bed and nap time
routines, as well as meal routines. Keeping your child on a consistent schedule will support their transition back to school after the winter break.

Winter Break Activity Idea

The Nashville Public Library is a fun place to visit during Winter Break. Info: https://library.nashville.org

Sign-Up for ParentPowered for Families with Children Ages 0-3

Sign up for free texts to support families with children 0-3 years of age. Text messages will provide activities, tips and local resources to help your child grow!

Text MNPS to 70138. Learn more earlylearning.mnps.org/birth-to-three.