When most people think of readiness for kindergarten, they think of academic skills like letters, numbers, printing a name, etc. For kids to feel comfortable and eager to learn they need to develop early social skills. These would include understanding basic emotions such as happy, sad, mad, scared, and interacting positively with other children.
Playdates and other group activities are one way to help your child develop and practice early social skills. Preparation helps and may include something as simple as packing a backpack. Your child may want to take along a snack to share with a friend–being able to share is certainly something helpful to know.
- Being able to separate from parents and caregivers for short periods of time is another important skill for kindergarten readiness. Talking about it beforehand and tucking a favorite stuffie into a backpack can be reassuring for some little ones. A backpack itself may be familiar and comforting.
- Backpacks also give children a small measure of responsibility as they learn to put things back in & independence as they can take things in and out on their own.
Would you agree that backpacks can pack in a lot of different kinds of learning?