Early Learning

Big Steps Start with Small Moments

Your child’s learning journey begins long before the first day of Kindergarten. Every story, song, conversation, game, routine, and question helps build their confidence and prepares them for learning.

Whether your child is excited, nervous, independent, or reluctant, they belong at DSBN. Kindergarten is a place where children learn, grow, play, make friends, and develop new skills with the support of caring educators every step of the way.

You’re Already Helping Your Child Get Ready!

Every time you read together, count snacks, talk about the weather, sing a song, visit a playground, practise taking turns, or help your child understand and express their feelings, you are helping prepare them for school.

Getting ready for Kindergarten does not mean your child needs to know how to read, write, count perfectly, tie their shoes, open every container, or manage every routine independently. Kindergarten is a place where children continue to learn and develop these skills with caring adults beside them.

The most important thing your child can bring to Kindergarten is their curiosity, unique personality, and readiness to learn through play, exploration, and new experiences.

Support & Resources

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

From infancy to six years old, children can get a head start in learning through a variety of engaging and educational opportunities at DSBN’s three EarlyON Child & Family Centres.

DSBN’s EarlyON Child & Family Centres are bright, fun places that offer games, books, music and toys for parents and children to experience together. Each Centre is staffed by an Early Childhood Educator who further supports children’s learning through story and music time activities.

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Getting Ready for Kindergarten

There are many small, simple things families can practise at home to help children feel more confident before Kindergarten. These activities are not tests or requirements. They are just gentle ways to help your child become familiar with some of the routines, conversations, and skills they may use at school.

Build Confidence and Independence
  • Practice opening lunch containers, snack bags, water bottles, and lunchboxes.
  • Let your child try putting on shoes, boots, coats, hats, and mittens.
  • Practise zippers, buttons, Velcro, and pulling sleeves right-side out.
  • Build a simple morning routine with pictures or steps.
  • Practise washing hands, using tissues, and cleaning up after play.

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Build Communication Skills

Practice saying things like:

  • “Can you help me, please?”
  • “I need to use the washroom.”
  • “I don’t like that.”
  • “Can I have a turn?”

You can also practice asking an adult for help, introducing themselves and naming their feelings (happy, nervous, frustrated, excited, tired, etc.)

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Build Social Skills
  • Role-play sharing toys.
  • Practice taking turns in a game.
  • Talk about what to do when someone says no.
  • Practice joining play: “Can I play too?”
  • Practice setting a boundary: “Please stop.”
  • Practice what to do if they feel left out.
  • Talk about how everyone is learning and everyone makes mistakes.

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Build Literacy Skills
  • Read together every day, even for a few minutes.
  • Talk about the pictures in a book.
  • Ask, “What do you think will happen next?”
  • Look for letters in your child’s name.
  • Make grocery lists, cards, or labels together.
  • Sing rhyming songs.
  • Visit the library.

The Ministry’s Kindergarten overview encourages families to support learning through everyday activities such as creating cards, making shopping lists, writing invitations or notes, and using reading, writing, counting, and conversation in daily life.

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Build Numeracy Skills
  • Count steps, toys, snacks, or rocks.
  • Sort laundry by colour or size.
  • Compare objects: bigger, smaller, heavier, lighter.
  • Look for shapes around the house.
  • Play simple board games.
  • Cook or bake together and talk about measuring, pouring, and counting.
  • Ask questions like, “How many do we have?” or “What comes next?”

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Build Comfort with School Routines
  • Role-play sharing toys.
  • Practice taking turns in a game.
  • Talk about what to do when someone says no.
  • Practice joining play: “Can I play too?”
  • Practice setting a boundary: “Please stop.”
  • Practice what to do if they feel left out.
  • Talk about how everyone is learning and everyone makes mistakes.

Learn More