Little moments. Everyday discoveries.
School Readiness Activities: Playful Practice at Home
School readiness activities can offer practice with everyday routines, communication, taking turns, and trying a new task. They need not be tests or formal lessons. Use these games to explore situations your child may meet, and ask their future school about its particular routines and expectations.
Make a picture routine together
A picture routine makes a short sequence visible. Let your child help choose the drawings rather than presenting a long list of instructions.
What you need: Paper and crayons.
- Choose two or three familiar actions, such as getting dressed, putting a book in a bag, and putting shoes on.
- Draw a picture for each action and arrange the pictures in order.
- Practise the sequence together, pointing to the pictures when a reminder is useful.
Make it yours: Start with one transition. Leave extra time and offer hands-on help with difficult tasks.
Practise asking for help with a toy
Pretend play gives you a low-pressure way to try a useful phrase or gesture. You can model both asking for help and responding kindly.
What you need: A soft toy and a familiar everyday object.
- Give the toy a small problem, such as not knowing where a book belongs.
- Ask how it could let someone know it needs help.
- Take turns being the toy and the helper, trying words or gestures your child can use comfortably.
Make it yours: Use your family's language. A short phrase, sign, or agreed gesture can all be useful.
Try a cooperative building game
Building one thing together gives turns a purpose. The goal is a shared creation rather than seeing who can build the tallest tower.
What you need: A few large blocks.
- Agree on a simple project, such as a low wall or a toy house.
- Take turns choosing and placing one block.
- Pause to ask what each player would like to add next, then finish together.
Make it yours: Name whose turn comes next. Short turns and a small project may be easier than a long game.
Tell someone about your day
Sharing a small event offers practice choosing information and listening to another person. Your child does not need a polished account or a long sentence.
What you need: A drawing or familiar object from the day, if helpful.
- Describe one thing you did today in a few words.
- Invite your child to tell, draw, or show one thing they remember.
- Ask one interested follow-up question, then give them a turn to ask you something.
Make it yours: Offer two starting points if the question feels too broad: "Would you like to tell me about our walk or our game?"
Play at packing and unpacking
Practising a small everyday task lets your child explore a routine with you nearby. Keep the bag light and use only items that are safe to handle.
What you need: A light, open bag and a few books or soft toys.
- Agree which two or three items the pretend outing needs.
- Find and place the items in the bag together.
- Unpack them in a chosen spot and talk about where each belongs.
Make it yours: Use a basket instead if opening or closing a bag is frustrating.
Parents often ask
Should my child read or write before starting school?
Expectations differ between schools and countries. Ask the school directly instead of treating an online activity list as an entry requirement. Enjoying stories, mark-making, and conversation can remain part of everyday play.
What if a routine is difficult for my child?
Break it into a smaller step and practise with support. Share any access needs or concerns with the school so you can plan together; these games are not a readiness assessment.