Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
August 1 - August 31
About Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month takes place throughout August 2026 and encourages parents, carers and educators to help children prepare for their first year of formal schooling. Observed across the United States, it offers a structured window in the weeks before the new school year to build the routines, skills and confidence that ease the move into the classroom.
What is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month?
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month is an annual observance held every August that focuses on helping young children make a smooth transition into kindergarten. It is aimed primarily at the families of four and five year olds who are about to start school for the first time, as well as the teachers and early years settings supporting them. Rather than centring on a single charity or campaign, it acts as a seasonal reminder to use the final weeks of summer to prepare practically and emotionally. The observance covers everything from social and emotional readiness to basic literacy and numeracy, healthy routines and familiarity with the school environment.
When is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month?
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month runs for the whole of August every year. In 2026 it begins on Saturday, 1 August and continues until Monday, 31 August. The timing is deliberate: August sits in the run up to the start of the academic year in most parts of the United States, giving families a few weeks to put preparations in place before the first day of term. Because it is fixed to a calendar month rather than a particular weekday, the dates never shift from one year to the next.
Why Get Ready for Kindergarten Month Matters
The start of kindergarten is one of the biggest milestones in a young child’s life, and how well that transition goes can shape attitudes towards school for years to come. Research consistently shows that early readiness is a strong predictor of later achievement, with children who begin school well prepared more likely to be reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Yet the move is not always smooth: teacher surveys have reported that roughly 48 per cent of children show some difficulty adjusting during the transition, with following directions, working independently and pre-academic skills among the most common challenges. Readiness is about far more than age alone. It draws together cognitive skills, social competence, self-regulation and physical wellbeing, and a dedicated month gives families a practical prompt to address each of these areas before term begins.
How to Get Involved in Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
There are plenty of simple, low-cost ways for families and schools to take part throughout August:
- Establish school-day routines early – Set up consistent breakfast and bedtime schedules at least a month before term starts so the first morning of school does not come as a shock.
- Visit the school in advance – Arrange to tour the classroom, meet the teacher and walk the route to school, which helps replace the fear of the unknown with familiarity.
- Practise self-help skills – Encourage children to fasten their own coats, open lunch boxes, use the toilet independently and tidy up, all of which build confidence in a classroom setting.
- Read together every day – Sharing picture books supports early literacy and gives children a love of stories before they begin formal reading instruction.
- Arrange playdates – Schedule time with future classmates during August so children arrive on the first day already recognising a friendly face.
- Book a health check – Use the month to arrange a medical, dental, hearing and vision check so any issues are picked up before they affect learning.
- Gather school supplies together – Ask the teacher for a list and let your child help choose and pack their bag, which builds a sense of ownership and excitement.
- Talk positively about school – Frame kindergarten as an adventure and answer worries honestly, helping children approach the change with curiosity rather than anxiety.
History of Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month was created in 2005 by children’s author Katie Davis, who wanted to give families a clear seasonal focus for preparing their children for school. Davis recognised that the weeks before kindergarten could be daunting for both children and parents, and that a named observance might encourage people to plan ahead rather than leave preparation to the last minute.
Since its founding, the month has been adopted by educators, early years organisations, parenting brands and school districts across the United States, who use August to share readiness checklists, host orientation events and publish guidance for families. Public bodies such as state offices of early childhood have promoted it as a way to support the move from preschool into formal education.
Over the years the observance has grown alongside a wider focus on early childhood education and school readiness, becoming a recognisable fixture on the August calendar. It is now marked with the hashtag #GetReadyForKindergartenMonth on social media, where parents, teachers and brands share tips and celebrate children taking their first big step into school life.
Noteworthy Facts About Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
- The observance was established in 2005 by children’s author Katie Davis.
- It is held every August to align with the run up to the new school year across most of the United States.
- School readiness is commonly measured across several domains, including cognitive skills, language, literacy, social-emotional development and physical wellbeing.
- Studies have found that around 48 per cent of children experience some difficulty adjusting to school during the kindergarten transition.
- The word kindergarten comes from German, meaning “children’s garden”, a term coined by educator Friedrich Froebel who opened the first such setting in 1837.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month?
It is an annual August observance that encourages parents, carers and educators to help young children prepare for starting kindergarten. It covers practical readiness, healthy routines, early learning skills and emotional confidence.
When is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month in 2026?
It runs for the whole of August 2026, beginning on Saturday, 1 August and ending on Monday, 31 August.
Who created Get Ready for Kindergarten Month?
The observance was created in 2005 by children’s author Katie Davis as a way to give families a clear focus for school preparation in the weeks before term begins.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Get Ready for Kindergarten Month with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #GetReadyForKindergartenMonth and #GetReadyForKindergartenMonth2026 on social media. The more families who plan ahead, the smoother that first day of school will be for the children starting their journey.
Related Awareness Days
- International Literacy Day – A global observance promoting the reading and writing skills that begin in the earliest years of school.
- International School Library Month – Celebrates the role of school libraries in nurturing a lifelong love of reading and learning.
- Dream Big Day – Encourages children to set ambitions and believe in their potential, a fitting message as they start school.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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