Kindergarten

Welcome to the F.T. Bresnahan Elementary School! We are so excited that your child will be joining our Kindergarten community for the 2025–2026 school year. Kindergarten is such a special time—full of new experiences—for both children and their families. We know that this transition can come with lots of questions, and it’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Families often ask:

• How do I know if my child is ready for school?
• What can I do to help my child feel confident about starting Kindergarten?
• What kinds of academic skills should my child have before the school year begins?



The good news is: we’re here to support you every step of the way!

Kindergarten is a year of tremendous growth, and it’s truly amazing to watch children develop from September to June. While it can be emotional for families to "let go" a little and begin fostering independence, please know that our team is dedicated to creating a caring, joyful, and supportive learning environment for each and every child. We created a Welcome to Kindergarten video that we hope helps you and your child feel even more excited and confident about the upcoming school year. You’ll get a glimpse of our classrooms, meet some friendly faces, and learn more about what a day in Kindergarten looks like.

We’re so glad to begin this journey with you and your child. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon—and we know it’s going to be a wonderful year in Kindergarten!

Throughout the year, your child will be immersed in experiences that nurture early reading, writing, and math skills. In Kindergarten, students begin to:

• Learn the names and sounds of letters
• Practice writing letters and simple words
• Explore basic math concepts: recognizing numbers, counting quantities, understanding shapes and patterns, and solving early number stories
• Participate in rich, thematic learning units such as:
• Citizenship and Community
• National Holidays
• Forces and Energy
• Life Science
• Weather and Climate

All of this learning is woven into play, music, movement, and hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and joy!

Helping your child develop independence, responsibility, and positive social interactions is an important part of Kindergarten. Here are some simple ways you can support your child’s readiness for school this fall:

• Practice using the bathroom independently, properly clearing oneself and washing hands with soap and water afterward
• As accidents happen and clothes can get wet, practice having your child change their own clothes independently
• Encourage managing their backpack (zipping, packing, unpacking)
• Open their own snack and use good table manners
• Put on their own coat and practice zipping, buttoning, or snapping
• Begin working on shoe-tying
• Practice listening respectfully and following simple directions
• Encourage respectful communication and using words to solve problems
• Use writing and drawing tools with a proper grip
• Practice cutting with child-safe scissors
• Write their first name with the first letter uppercase and the rest lowercase (e.g., Sally)
• Talk about sharing, taking turns, and being a good sport

Our school restrooms are equipped with automatic sinks and toilets, so feel free to talk with your child about what to expect.