Corbett Prep teaches young kids the skills they need to succeed

Easy Ways to Prepare for PreK

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Can eating lunch prepare your child for prekindergarten? How about going to the zoo? Or sitting on the floor as a librarian reads a book at story time?

 

While these activities may seem too simple to have a big effect, PreK3 teachers at Corbett Prep say they are exactly the tasks parents should encourage to help their children get off to a great start in school.

 

Prekindergarten is the first major milestone in a long educational journey. It’s an exciting time of growth for students as they make discoveries, form new friendships and become more self-sufficient. Teachers welcome 3- and 4-year-olds with a classroom environment and routines that help them feel safe, confident and ready to learn. But parents also play an important role in ensuring a smooth transition during those early months.

Take some time this summer to practice these steps toward independence and set your child up for success in August
Take some time this summer to practice these steps toward independence and set your child up for
success in August

Corbett Prep’s PreK3 team compiled a list of skills they recommend parents work on with their children before school begins. Opening a lunchbox without a grownup’s help, recognizing personal items like lunchboxes or blankets or even using an unfamiliar potty all come in handy when children go to school. Take some time this summer to practice these steps toward independence and set your child up for success in August.

  • Purchase food containers that your child can use independently and practice opening and closing them and feeding themselves.
  • Look for simple clothing and shoes that your child can handle on their own and encourage them to dress themselves. This might be a good season for Velcro shoes and elastic waistbands on school days!
  • Allow your child to make their own choices whenever possible about what to wear, what toy to play with, what book to read or what part of their meal to eat first.
  • Let your child walk fair and safe distances at the zoo, park or in the neighborhood.
  • Take your child to use the bathroom in public or unfamiliar places.
  • Flush the toilet when your child is still nearby so they grow accustomed to the sound (yes, really!).
  • Attend music and story time at the library, museum or other venues, and encourage your child to participate when appropriate and also sit quietly for stories. Practice sitting quietly during stories for five minutes.
  • Practice verbalizing emotions and how to ask an adult for help.
  • Encourage free play at the children’s museum, playground or spray ground with friends and new children. Watch to see if your child can play without adult direction and take turns when playing with others.
  • Familiarize your child with their backpack, lunchbox, water bottle and other personal items so they can identify their own items. Help them look for their name or a distinct feature, like a sticker on a water bottle.

 

You may do most of these activities with your child already. Or you may realize that you do too much for them and it’s time for them to begin becoming responsible for themselves. Students don’t have to master everything for their first day of PreK, but regular practice during the summer will help them feel prepared and confident and get the school year off to a strong start.

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*Presented by Corbett Prep | Originally published in the May 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine