May Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Dear Pre-K Families,

Congratulations! You and your family are about to complete your Pre-K experience!  The summer is coming and that’s a great time to prepare your child for kindergarten.

Also, please remember to register your child for kindergarten.  If you have questions on kindergarten registration, contact the Family Information Center at (615) 259 -INFO (4636).

Warm Wishes, MNPS Early Learning Team

Learning at Home

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

The summer is a great time to start preparing your child for kindergarten.  A fun book to read to get your child ready for kindergarten is Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate.

After reading the book, look back at the pages where Miss Bindergarten is getting ready for kindergarten and discuss with your child what Miss Bindergarten is doing.  Each page also features a letter from the alphabet.  Ask your child to find items on the page that start with the letter and think of other words start with the same letter.

ACTIVITY: “What I Know About Kindergarten”

Take out a piece of paper and ask your child to make comparisons between the book’s kindergarten experience and what your child thinks kindergarten will be like. Write down their answers.  It’s a great opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings about kindergarten!

Important Dates

• May 5: Stockpiled PD Day (Students do not report)
• May 21: Half day for all students; End of school year!

FOLLOW MNPS EARLY LEARNING
Follow @MNPSPreK on Facebook for summer learning activities to get ready for kindergarten!

Family Connect

It's finally here - your “Countdown to Kindergarten!”  This can be both exciting and overwhelming for children (and parents).  Here are a few things you can do to help the whole family prepare:

Before the End of the Current School Year

• Register for kindergarten.
• With your child, drive by the school they’ll be attending for kindergarten, so they are familiar with their school.
• Talk positively about their school.

During the Summer

• Take the route to school several times.  Discuss the route and talk about your child's new school.
• Encourage the practice of self-help skills: hand washing, zipping, etc.
• Read books about beginning a new school, kindergarten and making new friends.
• Visit the school's and district's websites and Facebook pages for special events, updates, and information.
• Visit your local park for outdoor activity.
• Visit your local recreation center to learn about their summer programs.
• Finalize your before and after school plans for your child.
• Visit your local library to read books and for fun family activities.
• Don’t forget to read children’s books about kindergarten.

A Few Weeks Before School Begins

• Work with your child to develop a “kindergarten countdown calendar.”  Display it and refer to it daily.
• Establish a consistent and healthy school-time schedule and routine.
• Remember to work on phasing out naps.

A Week Before School Begins

• Make school transportation plans, and before and after school plans clear to your child.
• Get your child excited about kindergarten by discussing what they should expect on the first day of school

Don’t forget! The summer is great time to continue what your child has learned in Pre-K. Continue reading, working on your child’s writing and vocabulary, early math skills, social emotional learning development and practice routines daily.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

MNPS Early Learning has a webpage that features activities, information and resources to get families ready for kindergarten. Website features:

• The MNPS Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter: Past copies of this monthly newsletter that contains kindergarten readiness activities and tips.
• MNPS Summer Activity Guide: Activities designed for you and your child to do together this summer.  Available in English, Spanish & Arabic.
• Kindergarten Readiness Tip Sheet: Available in English, Spanish & Arabic.
• And more!

Visit: https://earlylearning.mnps.org/kindergarten/get-ready-for-kindergarten

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.  Even if your family is attending an MNPS Pre-K you still need to register. Montessori pre-K families please contact your child’s school about registration.

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 Activities & Tips for Children 0-3 Years Old

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.