The term, “kindergarten readiness” has generated a lot of controversy and with good reason. The origins of the concept generally refer to academic preparedness—the ability to identify letters, count numbers, hold a pencil, etc. While these skills aren’t to be overlooked, parents, educators and community members know these aren’t the skills necessary to successfully transition a pre-schooler into Kindergarten. So do we. Former Head Start Teacher, Dr. Dan Gatrell says “Readiness doesn’t mean just knowing the academic basics. It means a child has a willing attitude and confidence in the process of learning: a healthy state of mind.” (NAEYCE) Conscious Discipline’s brain-based, research-backed approach has been laying the foundation for a healthy state of mind for adults and children for 25+ years.
Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive, trauma-responsive approach rooted in this, centralized idea: creating an environment built on safety and belonging promotes social development, emotional intelligence and self-regulation, resulting in higher functioning, executive brain states. Rather than focusing on external markers of kindergarten readiness such as academics, gross and fine motor skills, etc., Conscious Discipline emphasizes building safety, empathy, connection, and resilience in adults and in children. This perspective shifts the paradigm of kindergarten readiness to cultivating a regulated environment that equips children and adults alike to navigate challenges they may face in school and in life, together.
“Oh, Shift”: Regulation IS Readiness
How do you define kindergarten readiness? Traditional concepts of kindergarten readiness center on certain benchmark skill-sets; counting, cutting with scissors, identifying letters, drawing inside the lines, or recognizing shapes. While these are valuable, Conscious Discipline knows that social development, emotional intelligence and self-regulation are, in both the long and short term, more important to overall wellness. Children who can manage their emotions, co-regulate with regulated adults through active calming, cultivate healthy attachments through routines and rituals, and practice empathy are simply better equipped to thrive in the classroom, handle upset, and engage with peers and teachers effectively in ways that will carry them throughout the rest of their lives.
Conscious Discipline and “Kindergarten Readiness” Concepts
We value academic progress- that’s why we believe so strongly in providing a foundation built to support the kind of academic advancement possible when there are fewer obstacles like behavioral incidents or chronic absenteeism in the way. Implementation of Conscious Discipline enables access to the highest centers of the brain; the only place where real learning can occur. Here are some ways we provide solutions for the challenges incumbent kindergarteners and their adults face.
1. Safety and Belonging is Foundational
Safety and belonging are so much more than physical security. In Conscious Discipline, establishing a safe and connected environment by cultivating a School Family allows children to move out of survival mode and into an executive state where learning and growth are possible; especially during such a pivotal transition into kindergarten. Building consistent routines and establishing rituals, using visual aids, and fostering moments of social development create a sense of stability that eases such a big transition.
2. Connection Before Isolation
Conscious Discipline knows that safe and connected relationships are at the heart of every effective learning opportunity. Children who feel connected to their caregivers and educators are more likely to trust the process of learning; strengthening their ability to pivot and adapt to new routines, unexpected circumstances and expectations. Focusing on relationship-building activities such as morning greetings, Brain Smart Starts, and collaborative problem-solving helps children feel connected and remain engaged rather than relying on traditional methods of isolation during times of upset and conflict.
3. From No Regulation to Co-Regulation
Children entering kindergarten don’t have the cognitive or developmental ability to self-regulate. That means they must have access to a regulated adult to co-regulate. Conscious Discipline is an adults-first, self-regulation approach, placing the focus on the needs of the adult in the room first. This equips children with a safe adult with whom to co-regulate with tools like breathing exercises, structures like the Safe Place, and visual strategies.
One of the most beloved regulation strategies at Conscious Discipline is the S.T.A.R. Breathing Tool. “S.T.A.R.” stands for: Stop, Take a deep breath, And Relax. This empowers adults and children to manage their emotions independently and move into an executive brain state; crucial for navigating the ups and downs of a transition to kindergarten and laying a solid foundation where learning can take place.
4. The Power of Perception
“Discipline isn’t something we do to a child, it’s something we develop within them.”- Dr. Becky Bailey.
Children are not problems to solve, they are individuals to nurture. This shift in perception transforms interactions from the traditional model of rewards and punishments to a supportive model with consequences. This shift helps children build confidence in their capability, making them more likely to approach learning confidently and curiously.
Practical Strategies for Kindergarten Readiness
Now that we know what kind of “readiness” is required for entering kindergarten, let’s explore some of Conscious Discipline’s actionable strategies to promote social development, emotional intelligence and executive function for academic growth to have a fighting chance.
1. Create Routines and Rituals
Children learn best through visuals. Rituals coupled with visuals provide consistency and structure, reducing stress and fostering emotional safety. Morning rituals like singing a welcome song can help children co-regulate and feel calm and ready for the day ahead.
2. Teach Breathing Techniques
Simple breathing exercises like Balloon, Pretzel, Drain, or S.T.A.R. Breathing can help children practice self-regulation. Young kindergarteners have a tendency to feel overwhelmed or distracted; these techniques offer a way to refocus and maintain composure.
3. Foster Problem-Solving Skills and Language
Incorporating problem-solving into play teaches children how to navigate challenges from a place of composure as well. Providing language for common occurrences such as “He pushed me!” or, “It’s my turn!” flips the script on the age-old problem of telling children what not to do, instead of telling them what to do instead. “He pushed you. You didn’t like that. Tell him you didn’t like that. Then, tell him if he wants you to move out of the way he can ask you to move or he can walk around you.” This kind of modeling prepares children for resolving conflicts inside and outside of the classroom.
4. Build Emotional Vocabulary
Helping children name and understand their emotions is key to self-regulation. Tools like The Feeling Buddies can support children in identifying these emotions and expressing themselves effectively in a way that helps them feel seen.
How Can We Prepare Five-Year Olds for Kindergarten?
No child can be “ready” for kindergarten in a way that is holistically measurable. Every child who enters kindergarten comes with a different set of skills and experiences. Conscious Discipline reframes kindergarten readiness as a process centered on support and connection; not a blanket checklist of benchmark skills. What is the best readiness for kindergarten? By focusing on social development, problem-solving, regulation in times of upset or conflict, managing emotions and executive functioning skills, we can empower children and the adults who care for them to approach kindergarten with confidence, curiosity, and resilience. Let’s re-think “readiness” by creating a world where every child feels safe, valued, and capable of achieving their fullest potential.
If you’re new to Conscious Discipline and would like to know more about how the implementation of its practices could positively impact your own life and work, here are a few great places to start:
- Training and Coaching
- Conscious Discipline for Head Start
- District Success with Conscious Discipline
There’s nothing like surrounding yourself with your Conscious Discipline Family. Check back here regularly for new live and virtual offerings.
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Upcoming Events
- Conscious Discipline Institute in Philadelphia, PA: Summer Educator Event
- Conscious Discipline Institute in Orlando, FL: Summer Educator Event, 7/7-12
- Anger and Rage: Planning Our Response: Education Event in Orlando, FL
- Adult Self-Regulation: Supporting Neurodivergent Children: Education Event in Orlando, FL
- Conscious Discipline Institute: Birth to Five Years: Summer Educator Event in Chicago, IL
- Conscious Discipline for Administrators: Becoming a More Conscious Administrator: Educator Event
Jenny Shannon
Jenny Shannon has a B.A. in English, an M.A. in Educational Leadership, and an abiding commitment to believing that what you focus on, you get more of. With a strong background in education and communications and the love of a good story, she is thrilled to work on Conscious Discipline’s Marketing Team as copywriter. She lives in a 200-year-old home in northern New Jersey where she moonlights as chauffeur for her two daughters, can be caught singing showtunes in the kitchen and has strong opinions on the best place to grab a cup of coffee.
