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I’m Ready for Kindergarten!. Review favorites, practice school routines, and celebrate how much they’ve grown. This is Month 12 of our free 12-month preschool curriculum for ages 3 to 5. Below you will find a weekly lesson plan, the letters and math to practice, science and art ideas, a supplies list, and easy ways to make it simpler or harder for your child.
- Month 12 of 12
- Ages 3–5 (best fit: 4–5)
- 4 weekly topics
- About 20–30 minutes a day
What Your Child Will Learn in Month 12
- New letters
- Review all letters and practice writing the name
- Language & literacy
- Answer who, what, and where questions about a story. “Write” a little storybook (they draw, you write). Spot a few simple words (stretch).
- Math
- Count to 10 (core) or 20 (stretch), add and subtract within 5 using objects, and make patterns and shapes.
- Science & discovery
- Pick a favorite experiment and run a family “science show.”
- Social & emotional
- Build confidence and practice saying goodbye calmly.
- Art & music
- Handprint keepsake and an “All About My Year” book.
- Movement & hands
- Carry a backpack, open lunch containers, hop on one foot, and cut shapes.
These goals match the five learning areas in the Head Start framework. Core goals are for most children. Anything marked stretch is optional. See the full list of learning areas and the typical milestones for ages 4 and 5.
Month 12 Weekly Lesson Plan
Do one short activity from each column, three or four days a week. Keep each one to about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop when your child loses interest.
| Week & topic | Letters & language | Math | Science | Art, music & movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1: Review favorites (letters and numbers) | Play letter bingo with the letters learned. | Play a number game with dice or cards. | Pick a favorite experiment and repeat it. | Sing favorite songs from the year. |
| Week 2: School routines (line up, raise a hand, pack a backpack) | Read a school story and talk about what happens at school. | Practice a school day schedule: first, next, last. | Explore the school building (visit or look at pictures) and talk about each room. | Play school with stuffed animals and take turns being the teacher. |
| Week 3: Independence (zip, button, bathroom, lunch) | Practice saying I need help, please and may I go to the bathroom. | Pack a backpack and count the items. | Practice washing hands and talk about germs. | Practice zipping, buttoning, and opening lunch containers. |
| Week 4: Celebrate and say goodbye to preschool | Dictate a book about what they learned this year. | Count the photos in the memory book. | Hold a family science show. | Make a handprint keepsake and hold a mini graduation. |
Not sure how to fit this into your day? Use the sample daily rhythm.
Letters to Practice This Month
Review all letters and practice writing the name.
Play with letters through games, not drills: find them on signs and cereal boxes, trace them in sand or salt, and say the first sound of everyday objects. Knowing some letters is a typical milestone at age 5, so there is no pressure to master every letter.
Words to Use All Month
Use these words in everyday conversation and while you read. Hearing a word in many settings helps it stick.
- kindergarten
- teacher
- backpack
- lunchbox
- line up
- raise your hand
- ready
- proud
Supplies Checklist
Everything here is common household stuff. Tick items off as you gather them.
Easy Activities to Try at Home
Try this
- Backpack rehearsal: pack a backpack, walk to the door, and practice a goodbye routine.
- Teach me show: your child teaches the family a favorite lesson or song.
- Memory book: collect favorite drawings, photos, and a handprint into a keepsake book.
Read together
- Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
- Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
Check your local library. Ask the librarian for more i’m ready for kindergarten! books.
Make It Easier or Harder
If your child needs more support
Pick two routines, like packing a backpack and saying goodbye, and practice them every day.
If your child is ready for more
Add writing the full name, reading a few simple words (stretch), and adding or subtracting within 5 with objects.
Parent tip: Visit the school or look at photos together before the first day. Familiar places and faces ease nerves.
Month check-in: Use the Kindergarten-Ready checklist below.
Month 12 Preschool Curriculum FAQs
How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
Readiness covers the whole child: language, thinking, movement, independence, and social skills. Use the end-of-year checklist on the main curriculum page and talk with your school.
What if my child is nervous about starting school?
Read books about school, visit the building if you can, and practice goodbyes. Keep your goodbye short and confident. If worry is strong or lasts a long time, talk with your pediatrician or teacher.
Should I teach reading before kindergarten?
Focus on letters, sounds, rhymes, and a love of books. Kindergarten teachers teach reading, and your job is to lay the foundation.
All 12 Months
Add Free Printables to Month 12
Match this month’s lessons with free printables and coloring pages.
Sources
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice and does not replace a developmental screening or guidance from your child’s doctor or teacher.