Episode Details

Episode 89. In this episode, Beth breaks down what kindergarten readiness actually looks like and why reading is just one small piece of the puzzle. She walks through the practical skills children need before they start kindergarten, why an extra year doesn't automatically make reading easier, and what parents can do right now this summer to set their child up for confidence and success on day one.

Join us for Big City Summer! LINKED HERE

What you'll learn

• Why your child does not need to enter kindergarten already reading and what the research actually says
• Why the brain is not naturally wired to learn to read (and what that means for your child)
• Whether holding your child back an extra year will actually make reading easier
• The concept of print skill most parents overlook, and how to check if your child has it
• A practical checklist of kindergarten readiness skills across literacy, fine motor, social, and self-care
• Why emotional readiness and excitement about school may matter more than academic skills
• How co-regulation and the way you talk to your child shapes how they talk to themselves
• What to practice with your child this summer to build confidence before the first day

Topics

science of reading, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, concept of print, phonemic awareness, rhyming, fine motor skills, school readiness, redshirting, structured literacy, kindergarten, parent tips social-emotional learning, letter recognition

About the host

Beth Gaskill (Miss Beth) is a reading specialist, early childhood educator, and founder of Big City Readers. She helps parents support their children's literacy development through research-backed, science of reading strategies.