It’s Never Too Early to Get Ready for Kindergarten
From birth to age 5, a child’s brain grows faster than at any other time—90% of brain development happens before age 5. Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers, and simple activities like reading, talking, and playing every day build confidence, vocabulary, and social skills.
Getting ready for kindergarten starts at birth—and it’s about more than letters and numbers. Children who are prepared have strong social, self-help, and physical skills, and most importantly, a love for learning.
United Way of Champaign County has created an entire website with tips, daily activities, and resources to help families make everyday moments count.
A Calendar of Activities for Every Day
To make getting ready for kindergarten simple, United Way of Champaign County created the Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar—a full year of fun, easy activities designed by local early childhood experts. Each day includes a short game, tip, or activity that builds important skills for school success.
Now, the calendar is available online and mobile-friendly. Families can browse activities day by day right on the website—no waiting, no printing needed. Every activity is designed to fit naturally into everyday life, using things you already have at home.
Whether you flip through the printed calendar or explore online, you’ll find hundreds of ready-to-go activities to help your child grow, learn, and get excited for kindergarten.