As we turn the calendar to the month of September, summer is officially in the rearview mirror. Last week I had the joy of welcoming children into their first formal year of school from many different homes, communities, and backgrounds. As a virtual kindergarten teacher, families often ask me what children should know before kindergarten. Should they recognize every letter? Count to 100? Read simple books?
Those abilities are helpful, but they are not the most important things a child can bring to class during this first year. Academic skills will come with patient and thoughtful instruction. The three skills I hope every child will discover this year are independence, communication, and curiosity. Together, these skills help children become confident learners, caring classmates, and enthusiastic participants in school.
1. Independence
The most valuable skill your child can develop is independence. While it is natural to want to help with every little task, giving your child opportunities to do things alone is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.
Simple daily routines — such as getting dressed, putting on shoes, washing hands, following directions, opening lunch containers, and caring for personal belongings — help children build confidence and trust their own abilities. In a virtual classroom, independence may also include gathering supplies, finding a pencil, turning book pages, or knowing where to place completed work.
Children do not need to perform every task perfectly. They simply need opportunities to try. A child who can say, “Let me do it,” is learning persistence as well as independence. When children feel capable, they are ready to attempt unfamiliar activities, solve small problems, and take pride in their accomplishments.
2. Communication
The second skill I wish for my kindergarteners this year is the ability to communicate their needs, feelings, and ideas. Kindergarten children are still developing language, so communication does not have to sound polished. What matters is that children are learning to express themselves and listen to others.
A child should feel comfortable saying, “I need help,” “I don’t understand,” “I feel sad,” or “May I have a turn?” These simple phrases allow teachers to respond appropriately and help prevent frustration. Children benefit from practicing how to speak clearly, raise a hand, take turns talking, and explain when something is wrong.
Communication also includes listening. Children need practice paying attention to short directions, waiting while another person speaks, and responding to what they hear. Families can build these skills through ordinary conversations. Ask open-ended questions, listen patiently, and encourage your child to describe experiences in their own words. Reading books together and discussing the characters’ feelings also helps children develop vocabulary and empathy.
3. Curiosity
The third skill is curiosity — the desire to wonder, explore, and ask questions. Kindergarten is filled with discoveries, and curious children are ready to engage with them. Curiosity matters more than already knowing all the answers. I would much rather hear a child ask, “Why does that happen?” than remain silent because they are afraid of being wrong.
Parents and caregivers can nurture curiosity without preparing elaborate lessons. Take a walk and notice leaves, clouds, colors, numbers, shapes, or sounds. Invite your child to predict what might happen during a simple activity. Ask, “What do you notice?” or “What do you think?”
At Virginia Virtual Academy, a statewide K-12 program of its partnering divisions, where I teach, we launched a new program this year called Jumpstart, which supported families who have children entering kindergarten this year. We suggested small activities that help children develop these skills. Families can use these throughout the year. For example:
• Matching Monday
• Tracing Tuesday
• Wonder Wednesday
• Think and Create Thursday
• Fun Friday
Independence, communication, and curiosity create a strong foundation for kindergarten success. None of these skills develop overnight, but practicing them in the classroom and at home is a great start. Kindergarten is a place where studentsgrow.
When families provide small opportunities to practice these skills, children believe they can try, speak up, and learn. Those beliefs prepare children not only for kindergarten, but for every classroom and challenge that follows.
Alexis Tardive is an educator with nearly two decades of experience in elementary education. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Vincent, and their two children, Teagan and Valentino.
Alexis is entering her 19th year in education and her seventh year at Virginia Virtual Academy, where she teaches kindergarten and serves as the Kindergarten Lead Teacher. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Centenary University and has taught students in kindergarten through third grade throughout her career.
Her dedication to excellence in education was recognized when she was named Teacher of the Year for the 2008–2009 school year. In 2007, while teaching science, Alexis was honored with a classroom visit from then-U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and received a certified letter of appreciation in recognition of her work with students.
Passionate about fostering a love of learning, Alexis is committed to helping young learners build confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for future academic success.
