June 02, 2025

Get Kids Language-Ready for Kindergarten!

27 minutes

Get Kids Language-Ready for Kindergarten

Getting ready for kindergarten doesn’t have to be overwhelming! In this episode, Carrie dives into what it really means to be ‘language-ready’ for the big K and how you can help little ones build those crucial communication skills over the summer—without pressure and with lots of fun.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or SLP, you’ll walk away with practical tips you can start using right away to boost your child’s expressive, receptive, and social language abilities. We also share a fantastic summer resource you won’t want to miss!

Listen to the Podcast Here

You can listen to the full podcast episode below:

What Does Language-Ready Really Mean?

Carrie kicks things off by defining what it means for a child to be “language-ready” for kindergarten and reminds us that all kids develop at their own pace. You’ll hear:

An overview of typical language expectations for five-year-old’s

Reassurance for kids who aren’t quite there yet

How to identify key skills to work on this summer

Expressive Language Milestones

In this section, we talk about what children should ideally be able to express before starting school, including:

Speaking in 4–6 word sentences

Telling simple stories and sharing past events

Asking and answering basic “wh-” questions

Using a variety of words (nouns, verbs, and descriptors)

Helpful Tip: Focus on just one expressive goal each day or week to build skills gradually and naturally

Receptive Language Skills to Watch For

Understanding is just as important as speaking! We discuss how to help your child:

Follow 1–2 step directions (and how to give them in a way that builds independence)

Understand basic concepts (big/little, under/over, etc.)

Answer simple questions about stories or daily events

Identify everyday objects by name

Boosting Pre-Literacy & Phonological Awareness

Reading every day is HUGE—and Carrie gives you more tips to build literacy foundations the SLP way, including:

Playing with sounds: rhyming, syllables, and beginning/ending sounds

Focusing on phonological awareness over letter recognition

Fun games like “guess the word” using syllables and sounds

Top Tip: Don’t worry about letters—work on hearing and playing with sounds instead. That’s the real reading foundation!

Social Communication: The Kindergarten Game-Changer

Social skills are a must for kindergarten success! In this part of the episode, Carrie shares how to help your child:

Take turns in conversation and stay on topic

Advocate for themselves and ask for help

Understand and respect personal boundaries

Begin learning how to manage big emotions

Pro Tip: Practice “hearing no” and waiting their turn—it’s a big part of life in the classroom.

Try Our Virtual Language Summer Camp!

Want a structured, low-pressure way to practice these skills all summer long? Check out our Language Catch-Up Camp! It’s perfect for caregivers who want a roadmap:

A virtual summer camp with twice-weekly lessons

Focused on expressive and receptive language, grammar, vocabulary, and more

Designed to build school readiness while having fun

Camp starts June 2nd!

Learn more and sign up at: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Join our free community, The Hub, to ask questions, connect with other caregivers and professionals, and get support from Carrie and the team.

Let us know what you’re working on with your little one this summer! And remember—language growth happens step-by-step. You’ve got this.

The post Get Kids Language-Ready for Kindergarten! appeared first on Speech And Language Kids.

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By Carrie Clark, M.A. CCC-SLP

4.6

156156 ratings