The Bright Futures Blog is updated monthly.

Starting kindergarten is a HUGE milestone and with big changes can come BIG feelings. New routines, new people, and a brand new environment can be exciting but also overwhelming for Kindergarteners. One of the best things you can do to support a smooth transition to school is to help children learn how to recognize their emotions and talk about them.

Why “Using Their Words” Matters

In a busy kindergarten classroom, there’s a lot happening!  From group activities to new routines, transitions AND lots of little voices trying to be heard. When a child can say things like “I’m feeling sad,” “I need help,” or “I want a turn,” they’re more likely to get the support they need in the moment. These simple phrases help teachers understand what’s going on and how to respond. While teachers are ready and eager to help children navigate their big feelings, they can’t always guess what your child needs, especially when their emotions come out through crying, yelling, or withdrawing. That’s why it’s super important to help your child practice using their words at home before school even begins. With just a little practice, your child can build confidence in expressing themselves and that makes school feel like a much safer, calmer, and more connected place!

Try These Tips at Home:

1. Name feelings out loud. When your child is upset, you might say, “It looks like you're feeling frustrated because the block tower fell down.” Naming emotions helps children start to recognize them in themselves.

2. Practice simple scripts. Try role-playing phrases like:
   
   “Can I play too?”

     “I need help, please.”

     “I’m feeling mad. I need a break.”

3. Use books and stories. Picture books are a GREAT way to talk about emotions in a low stakes way.  Ask your child how the characters feel and

    what they could do !

4. Model it yourself.  We are our child's first teachers and they pick up on what we do and say!  When you feel frustrated, narrate it in a calm way:

    “I’m feeling a little stressed, so I’m going to take some deep breaths.”

Big Feelings Are Normal

Even the most well-prepared kindergartner will have tough moments...it’s all part of growing! What matters most is that they feel safe, heard, and supported as they learn how to manage those feelings. Remind your child "You don’t have to be perfect. Do your best!"  Every time you help your child name an emotion or try again after a meltdown, you’re building important skills for school AND for life.

Use our SAY IT WITH WORDS Printable Poster for practice!  

Keep learning, keep growing, and keep rocking! 

Spring is in the air, and that means we’re getting closer to the start of a brand-new school year! For our littlest learners, one of the biggest adjustments in Kindergarten is learning how to move from one part of the day to the next! These moments are called transitions, and they’re a big deal for young children.

From saying goodbye in the morning to switching from playtime to learning time, lunch to rest, and more, transitions help structure the school day. But they can also be tricky if your child isn’t used to them yet.

The great news? With just a little practice at home, you can help your child become a transition champion! 

Why Transitions Matter

In a typical Kindergarten day, children may experience 30 or more transitions! From arriving at school and hanging up backpacks to moving between carpet time, centers, lunch, recess, and other daily routines, transitions are constant. That’s a lot of shifting for a little one! Helping children get used to these small changes throughout the day builds their confidence, reduces stress, and supports smoother learning. 

One of the trickiest parts of transitions is learning how to leave something unfinished—like a puzzle, worksheet,  or a block tower—and come back to it later when directed. This skill takes time to develop, especially when children are deeply engaged, but it’s an important part of building flexibility and following classroom routines. 

🛠️ 5 Tips to Build Transition Skills at Home

1. Practice a Daily Routine:  Create simple morning and bedtime routines. Use pictures or checklists if your child is a visual learner. Predictable steps build confidence!
   
   

2. Give Gentle Warnings:  Use “first-then” language: “First we clean up, then we go outside!” Try giving a 2-minute heads-up before changing activities to prepare their mind and body for the shift. For example, “In two minutes, we’re going to finish with the blocks and come sit at the table.”
   
   

3. Use Songs and Visual Cues:  Many teachers use transition songs! Try singing while tidying up or setting a timer to build fun into the routine.

🎵 Clean-Up Time (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere,
Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share.

🎵 Time to Line Up (to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re standing in a line, clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re standing in a line, clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re standing in a line, show a smile and look so fine,
If you’re standing in a line, clap your hands (clap clap)!

🎵 Hands in Your Lap (to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
My hands are in my lap,
My hands are in my lap,
I’m sitting down so quietly,
My hands are in my lap.

4. Model Calm Transitions:  Show how you calmly move between tasks—talk through what you’re doing, and keep it positive even when things don’t go as planned.
   
   

5. Celebrate Small Wins: Praise effort: “You stopped playing and cleaned up so quickly! That was a Kindergarten move!” Kids love knowing they’re doing things “just like big kids.”
   
   

🧺 Bonus Idea: Try a "Mini Kindergarten Day" at Home!

Set up a play-learning schedule with your child that includes a few mini-transitions—maybe breakfast, a story, art time, a snack, cleanup, and outside play. Practice moving from one to the next with joy and encouragement.

Your child is learning so much just by practicing everyday moments with you. By helping them learn to move confidently through transitions, you’re setting them up to rock Kindergarten with courage and calm!

Let’s keep practicing those small steps that make a big difference. 

Keep learning, keep growing, and keep rocking!