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North Fayette Elementary Presents:��

Countdown to Kindergarten �May 13,2026

5:30 PM

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Meet Your Presenters

Kara Harrison Kindergarten teacher and Title 1 School Contact

Ilse Bowman, Parent Liaison

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How to register your child for Kindergarten:

Online Registration

(find on district website. General information →Enroll Your Student

Completion of Documents (can be completed via mail, email, or in person with an appt).

Proof of Residency

Student’s Birth Certificate

Social Security Card

Immunization Record

Photo ID of person registering student

For questions, contact the Enrollment and Records Center

770-460-3990 ext. 6007 or email: enrollmentcenter@mail.fcboe.org or visit the district website

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Why is Kindergarten important?

Attending Kindergarten is an important step for both parent and child. Kindergarten provides children with life skills and opportunities to be successful in all developmental areas, setting a strong foundation for their educational journey.

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A smooth transition to Kindergarten is essential for children to develop a lifelong love of learning in a warm, caring and supportive climate.

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Learning in Kindergarten

According to a primer by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a high-quality Kindergarten should address learning in several categories: Physical Development, Social Development, Emotional Development, Language and Literacy, and Thinking and Cognitive Skills.

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Physical Development

This is the development of large motor skills, meaning movement of arms and legs, and fine motor skills, or use of hands and fingers. Playing outside and doing physical activities as a class address the former. Puzzles, drawing and other in-class activities address the latter.

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Social Development

This is how a child interacts with others, including working cooperatively, making friends, resolving disputes and other skills. Many aspects of classroom activity will be designed to develop these skills, helping children get along with one another.

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Emotional Development

This helps children understand and manage their own feelings. As Kindergarten teachers, our role is to help children recognize, talk about, and express their emotions and show concern for others. Teachers also support children's development of self-regulation—being able to manage their feelings and behavior.

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Language and Literacy

This develops communication through reading, writing, talking and listening. Literacy is a major focus in early learning, and particularly in Kindergarten, because these skills are so critical. Students learn to read so they can read to learn in later grades.

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Thinking and Cognitive Skills

This encourages students to investigate, make observations, ask questions and solve problems. Kindergarten teachers help children plan what they're going to do, encourage children to discuss and think more deeply about ideas, and include children when making decisions.

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Research Says…

Research shows that Kindergarten is a critical year for building the early literacy, math, social-emotional, and self-regulation skills children need for future school success. Children who develop strong early reading skills in Kindergarten are more likely to become successful readers in later grades.

Early literacy skills such as listening, speaking, letter recognition, and phonemic awareness build the foundation for reading success.

Social-emotional skills like following directions, working with others, and managing emotions help

Children become confident learners.

Reading Rockets Georgia DECAL School Readiness Framework

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Kindergarten Family Engagement is Key!

Parental involvement is important. Kindergarten family involvement is associated with:

More cooperative, self-controlled, and socially engaged children.

Lower rates of high school dropout, increased on-time high school completion, and higher grade completed.

Higher achievement in language and math, and higher ratings on peer interactions.

**More details about NFE Family Engagement

coming later in presentation

McWayne, et al., 2004; Barnard, 2004; and Rimm-Kaufman, et al., 2003

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While Preschool serves as an introduction to school, playing with others and listening to the rules, Kindergarten is more structured and generally takes a more direct approach to learning and meeting educational milestones.

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Preschool vs. Kindergarten

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A typical child entering Kindergarten…

is aware that written words and symbols mean something
recognizes a few letters and/or words
pretends to read and/or write
loves to have stories read to them
is becoming independent
follows two to three step directions
can open their own food and juice containers
is physically strong and coordinated
communicates with adults and others
uses the bathroom independently

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A Day in the Life of NFE Kindergarten

In the Morning (typically 7:15 am to 11:30 am)

Morning Routines/Announcement

Calendar Math

Math Instruction Block (includes small group and whole group instruction)

ELA Instruction Block (includes, writing, phonemic awareness, phonics and small group guided reading instruction)

Lunch (Between 10:30 and 11:30)

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A Day in the Life of NFE Kindergarten

In the Afternoon (typically 12:00 PM to 2:20 PM)

Indoor or Outdoor Recess

Writing/Read Aloud/Vocabulary

Specials Classes – All students attend the following specials: Art, Music, PE

(twice a week) and Technology

A Visit to the Media Center (once a week for Storytime and Checkout)

Social Studies/Science/Health related instruction block

Rest Time (no mats)/Free Centers/Instructional

Dismissal – Time to go home!

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Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten

Talk about school in a positive way
Visit the school (if possible)
Find books at the library about starting school
Get organized (plan for bedtime, morning routines, get supplies)
Create a plan with your child for the first day of school (dropping off, saying goodbye, etc.)
Review bus safety, if applicable
Attend Meet the Teacher with your child
Discuss your child’s feelings about starting school, address their concerns
Inform school and teacher of any special needs/concern your child may have (health, allergies, IEP, 504 plan, etc.)

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Readiness Skills for Kindergarten

Practice writing (letters, numbers and first/last name)
Letter Recognition (upper and lowercase)
Beginning Sounds (What sound does this letter make?)
Number Recognition and Counting
Shapes and Colors
Fine Motor Skills
Practice Cutting Skills with Scissors
Reading Readiness (tracking, story elements, predictions)
Attention and Following Directions
Social Skills (manners, eating, bathroom, etc.)

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Children's Books for �Transitioning to Kindergarten

Boomer Goes to School by Constance W. McGeorge

Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

David Goes to School by Shannon D

First Day, Hooray! by Nancy Paydar

Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner by Amy Schwartz

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come by Nancy L. Carlson

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen

Sam Starts School by Barbara Taylor Cork

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Fayette County/

Tyrone Public Libraries

Get your child a free library card to checkout recommended books and others!

They have a program called 1000 books before Kindergarten and tons of free programs all summer long.

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What can you do to be engaged?

Regularly communicate with your child’s teacher
Check children’s folder nightly
Join and Attend Parent Meetings and Workshops
Join the PTO (opportunities at Meet the Teacher)
Use Parent Resource Kits & Resources/Books from Parent Center
Look for notification of events through our Principal newsletter, emails, as well as flyers sent home
Volunteer when possible

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Visit the Parent Resource Center

Reading/Writing

letter/number recognition (flash cards, games,
sight word practice (flashcards, board games)
phonics games
sound it out puzzles
popular picture books to help establish a bedtime routine

Math

counting and sorting kit
counting money puzzles
place value games
addition/subtraction flashcards/games
number sense games/flashcards

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