Kindergarten Transition
Starting kindergarten is an exciting milestone for children and families alike, and it’s natural to have questions along the way. Even if your child isn’t receiving therapy, early preparation can help support a smoother, more confident transition into the school years.
Readiness Is About More Than Academics
Kindergarten readiness is about more than letters and numbers. Many of the skills children need for school are built through play, routines, social interaction, communication, movement, and everyday experiences.
These foundational skills include:
Following Routines
Cleaning up toys after playtime, following 2-3 step directions, and participating in lunchtime routines.
Playing & Learning
Sitting for circle or story time, taking turns during games, and participating in small group learning.
Handling Transitions
Moving between activities, transitioning from playtime to cleanup, and separating from caregivers.
Communication
Asking for help, pretending through play, and talking or problem-solving with peers.
Fine Motor Skills
Managing Big Feelings
Sitting for circle or story time, taking turns during games, and participating in small group learning.
Independence with Daily Tasks
Moving between activities, transitioning from playtime to cleanup, and separating from caregivers.
Playground & Movement Skills
Climbing playground equipment
Running, jumping, and balancing during play
Walking stairs confidently
Participating in group games and activities
Following directions during PE or movement activities
Children develop at their own pace, and it’s normal to have questions. If you’re noticing consistent challenges in several areas, we’re here to answer questions or help you get started with an evaluation.
Building Specific Skills for Success
Fine Motor Skills
Holding crayons and markers, cutting with child-safe scissors, buttoning, zipping, or opening containers.
Managing Big Feelings
Recovering after becoming upset, waiting or handling "not right now" moments, and asking for help when overwhelmed.
Independence with Daily Tasks
Putting on and taking off a coat and backpack, using the bathroom independently, and following simple responsibilities.
Building Specific Skills for Success
Fine Motor Skills
Holding crayons and markers, cutting with child-safe scissors, buttoning, zipping, or opening containers.
Managing Big Feelings
Recovering after becoming upset, waiting or handling "not right now" moments, and asking for help when overwhelmed.
Independence with Daily Tasks
Putting on and taking off a coat and backpack, using the bathroom independently, and following simple responsibilities.
Early Planning is Key for Kindergarten Transition
The best time to start preparing for your child’s transition to kindergarten is during the summer before their final preschool or pre-k year. But if you’re just getting started, that’s ok too! Every family’s timeline looks different.
SPRING:
Start Asking Questions
- Talk with your child’s teacher and/or therapists in the spring about readiness concerns
- If your child is in therapy, clarify with therapists whether current goals are academic-related or life-skills focused (if more life-focused, we encourage continued outpatient therapy)
- Download or print your child’s most recent speech/OT/PT evaluations
- If there are concerns, call the school district’s special education dept. and ask how to request a referral for services
SUMMER:
Build Skills & Prepare
- Attend screenings/ evaluations, turn in paperwork
- Ensure well-child visits doctor visits are current
- Practice opening lunch containers & backpacks
- Visit playgrounds and point out “big kid schools” when driving
- Read to your child daily
FALL: Adjust & Communicate
- Expect transitions to take time, and give grace
- Stay consistent with home routines
- Expect some fatigue and give “wiggle room” for big feelings
- Communicate with teachers and follow-up with any of your requests
Early Planning is Key for Kindergarten Transition
The best time to start preparing for your child’s transition to kindergarten is during the summer before their final preschool or pre-k year. But if you’re just getting started, that’s ok too! Every family’s timeline looks different.
SPRING:
Start Asking Questions
- Talk with your child’s teacher and/or therapists in the spring about readiness concerns
- If your child is in therapy, clarify with therapists whether current goals are academic-related or life-skills focused (if more life-focused, we encourage continued outpatient therapy)
- Download or print your child’s most recent speech/OT/PT evaluations
- If there are concerns, call the school district’s special education dept. and ask how to request a referral for services
SUMMER:
Build Skills & Prepare
- Attend screenings/ evaluations, turn in paperwork
- Ensure well-child visits doctor visits are current
- Practice opening lunch containers & backpacks
- Visit playgrounds and point out “big kid schools” when driving
- Read to your child daily
FALL: Adjust & Communicate
- Expect transitions to take time, and give grace
- Stay consistent with home routines
- Expect some fatigue and give “wiggle room” for big feelings
- Communicate with teachers and follow-up with any of your requests
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Extra Support
As children move from daycare or pre-k to kindergarten, expectations increase quickly with more structure, longer learning times, and greater fine motor and attention demands.
Some children adjust easily, while others may need extra support building the foundational skills needed to participate confidently in a classroom setting. These children are often bright, social, and capable, but may struggle with daily skills that become more noticeable in preschool or kindergarten environments.
Here are some signs your child might be having a hard time in kindergarten:
- Ongoing difficulty following directions or participating in group activities
- Frequent frustration communicating wants, needs, or feelings
- Persistent struggles with transitions or managing big emotions
- Continued difficulty with tasks like coloring, scissors, or dressing
- Regularly appearing clumsy, uncoordinated, or avoiding movement
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Extra Support
As children move from daycare or pre-k to kindergarten, expectations increase quickly with more structure, longer learning times, and greater fine motor and attention demands.
Some children adjust easily, while others may need extra support building the foundational skills needed to participate confidently in a classroom setting. These children are often bright, social, and capable, but may struggle with daily skills that become more noticeable in preschool or kindergarten environments.
Here are some signs your child might be having a hard time in kindergarten:
- Ongoing difficulty following directions or participating in group activities
- Frequent frustration communicating wants, needs, or feelings
- Persistent struggles with transitions or managing big emotions
- Avoiding playground or movement activities
- Continued difficulty with tasks like coloring, scissors, or dressing
- Regularly appearing clumsy, uncoordinated, or avoiding movement
- Difficulty with running, jumping or stair climbing
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Extra Support
As children move from daycare or pre-k to kindergarten, expectations increase quickly with more structure, longer learning times, and greater fine motor and attention demands.
Some children adjust easily, while others may need extra support building the foundational skills needed to participate confidently in a classroom setting. These children are often bright, social, and capable, but may struggle with daily skills that become more noticeable in preschool or kindergarten environments.
Here are some signs your child might be having a hard time in kindergarten:
- Ongoing difficulty following directions or participating in group activities
- Frequent frustration communicating wants, needs, or feelings
- Persistent struggles with transitions or managing big emotions
- Continued difficulty with tasks like coloring, scissors, or dressing
- Regularly appearing clumsy, uncoordinated, or avoiding movement
If several of these areas are impacting your child’s daily life or kindergarten participation, a therapy evaluation may be helpful.
Early support can make a big difference.
The best kindergarten transitions often begin by age 3.
The best kindergarten transitions don’t happen all at once- they’re built slowly through everyday moments at home, during play, and in early learning environments such as daycare or pre-k.
Around age 3 is a great time to begin gently supporting the skills that will help make the kindergarten years feel more comfortable and confident.
Simple Ways to Support Your 3 Year Old:
Building independence in daily routines
- Trying to dress themselves (shoes, coats, simple clothing)
- Washing hands and beginning bathroom independence
- Helping put away toys or simple household tasks
Creating routines
- Having consistent morning and bedtime routines
- Practicing predictable transitions (clean up, then the next activity)
- Using simple and clear instructions
Social play & connection
- Playing with other children (sharing, turn-taking, parallel play)
- Visiting parks, library story time, or community activities
- Helping your child observe and have conversations about whats happening around them
Developing early fine motor skills
- Encouraging time to draw, color, and scribble
- Playing with playdough or building toys
- Doing simple puzzles and stacking activities
Language & communication
- Talking about their day
- Reading together daily (this is a big one!)
- Encouraging storytelling, naming feelings, and asking questions
Familiarity with school settings
- Visiting school playgrounds or pointing out schools when driving by
- Talking positively about what “big kid school” looks like
- Letting them observe routines and group activities
Active Play & Movement
- Playing outside on playgrounds and engaging with other children
- Climbing, sliding, and exploring safe outdoor structures
- Dancing, running, jumping, and hopping games
- Playing ball games (kicking, throwing, catching)
- Practicing stairs with supervision
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! Many children benefit from support while still successfully transitioning into school, and continue therapy while in school.
Some children naturally develop skills over time. However, when concerns persist or impact daily functioning, earlier support may help ease school transitions and improve participation.
Structured classroom environments place different demands on communication, attention, sensory processing, and participation. If you’re not seeing consistency in different types of environments, it is worth getting an occupational therapy evaluation.
Yes- many families continue outpatient therapy during the school year to support focus on skills outside of the classroom, not related to education.
If you already have concerns before kindergarten begins, you are not alone- and it’s okay to start asking questions early. As we discuss in the “timeline section”, connect early with your child’s pediatrician, preschool teacher, your school district’s special education department and therapist and start asking questions.
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a school-based plan designed for children who qualify for special education services. It outlines your child’s educational goals, accommodations, and any services the school may provide to help support learning and participation in the classroom.
A 504 Plan helps provide accommodations within the school setting for children who may need additional support but do not qualify for special education services. Examples might include seating accommodations, movement breaks, extra time, or classroom supports that help a child participate more successfully at school.
School-based therapy focuses on helping children access and participate in their educational environment. Outpatient therapy at Kidsource focuses more broadly on developmental skills that impact daily life, play, communication, independence, emotional regulation, and participation both at home and in the community.
For many children, school and outpatient therapy can work together to support growth across environments.
If you have a child preparing for kindergarten who may need therapy services or additional school supports, you’ve probably heard the term “kindergarten waiver” come up in conversations with other parents, teachers, or providers. It can feel confusing, especially when everyone seems to have a different opinion about whether it’s the “right” choice.
From the Department of Education:
“A parent, guardian, or other person residing within the state and having custody or charge of a child may elect for the child not to attend kindergarten if the child will not be six (6) years of age on August 1 of that school year. If an election is made, the parent, guardian, or other person having custody or charge of the child shall file a signed kindergarten waiver form with the local school district administrative office. Upon the filing of the kindergarten waiver form, the child shall not be required to attend kindergarten in that school year.”
Here are a few helpful things to know about kindergarten waivers in Arkansas:
- Children who turn 5 before August 1 may begin kindergarten or participate in another form of education.
- Children who turn 6 before August 1 are required to be enrolled in some form of education.
- Education options may include public school, private school, homeschool, or virtual programs.
In Arkansas, families have the option to delay kindergarten for one year if their child is not yet 6 years old by August 1. Families consider this option for many different reasons, including:
- Giving their child more time to grow socially or emotionally
- Medical or developmental needs
- Wanting additional time to build skills before starting school
- Continuing services such as speech, occupational, physical, or ABA therapy
- Allowing more time to put school supports in place
If a family chooses to waive kindergarten, a waiver form must be completed and submitted to the local school district indicating the intent to postpone kindergarten before the school year begins.
Discover More Information to Help Your Child Succeed
Our team at Kidsource is always willing to answer questions and educate parents so they can aid in their child’s development.