With Kindergarten Concepts Skill Building Activities!
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Kindergarten concepts books: Reading with your child is one of the very best ways to prepare him/her for kindergarten. Plus, books are a great way to introduce your child to concepts he/she needs to know for kindergarten. Here is a list of 27 kindergarten concepts books (with skill building activities!) that can improve your child’s skills.
KINDERGARTEN CONCEPTS BOOKS
Kindergarten Concepts: Language and Literacy
Backseat A-B-See by Maria van Lieshout
Why we love it: Recognizing letters is a needed skill for kindergarten! Use this book to introduce and practice letter recognition.
Build on the skill: When driving in the car, ask your child to point out letters he/she sees on street signs.
The ABCs of What I Can Be by Caitlin McDonagh
Why we love it: Not only is this book a great way to practice letter recognition and letter sounds, it’s also a perfect for enhancing emotional awareness in children.
Build on the skill: Ask your child to draw a picture of himself/herself performing his/her dream job.
Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! by Mike Twohy
Why we love it: The alphabet structure of this book is unique as it tells a fun story while reinforcing letter recognition, letter sounds, and the order of the alphabet.
Build on the skill: As you go throughout your day, mention words and what they start with as you talk with your child. For example: “We’re going to the library today! Library starts with L.”
ABC Ready for School by Celeste Delaney
Why we love it: This book reinforces alphabet knowledge in children, as well as teaching social skills.
Build on the skill: On each page of the book, talk about the social skill mentioned. Ask your child what the illustrations are depicting. Discuss different times he/she may encounter the skills in the book.
Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets by Sara O’Leary
Why we love it: A unique alphabet book, Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets is a wonderful resource for learning true animal facts (and slip in a little bit of letter recognition practice)!
Build on the skill: Check out a book from the library about an animal in Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets to learn some more facts!
Z Goes First by Sean Lamb
Why we love it: This book is great for reinforcing alphabet and letter skills. For children who know the alphabet, they’ll love to see Z’s story!
Build on the skill: Write the alphabet in large letters for the child. Have him/her trace the letters or write them on his/her own. In addition, try this letter art activity.
The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra
Why we love it: It’s a crazy, fun book about how words get bored just sitting in the dictionary. Introduce children to new words and basic grammar concepts with this wacky book.
Build on the skill: Keep a look out for words your child may not know. Use context clues and a dictionary app (or a physical dictionary!) to look up the words and learn the definitions. This teaches the child that it’s important to learn what words mean and how to use context clues to figure out meanings.
Social and Emotional Development
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Why we love it: New adventures can be scary, so it’s important to make sure your child feels loved – especially when he or she is doing something new.
Build on the skill: Put a heart stamp or sticker on your child’s hand when he or she is going to be away from you. Make sure you kiss his or her hand before you leave!
I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
Why we love it: Reassuring little ones who may be dealing with separation anxiety at school is important.
Build on the skill: Talk your child through the good parts of the day and the bad parts of the day. Remind him or her that you love them all day long – no matter what.
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
Why we love it: Sometimes kids put pressure on themselves to be perfect, but it’s important for them to learn that even the worst mistakes can lead into the greatest discoveries!
Build on the skill: Paint perfect monsters – allow the child to paint a piece of paper however they want (scribbles are encouraged!) and then add two googly eyes anywhere on the scribbles. Voila! A perfect monster!
Rulers of the Playground by Joseph Kuefler
Why we love it: Playground politics are prevalent in kindergarten. Rulers of the Playground approaches being kind, taking turns, and making friends in a way children can understand.
Build on the skill: Visit the child’s school playground during the summer or on a weekend. Practice taking turns on the equipment.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Why we love it: It’s an eye-opening book for students who “take up a lot of space” and an encouraging book for students who feel invisible. The complex social environment of kindergarten can be difficult to overcome, but this book encourages small steps that lead to new friends.
Build on the skill: Read and answer the discussion questions at the end of the book with your child.
We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
Why we love it: “Choose kind” is a motto everyone should live by, including our children. We’re All Wonders encourages kids to choose kind even if someone looks different than we do.
Build on the skill: Encourage your child to be kind to everyone. Think of some ways to be kind in kindergarten. (For example, playing with someone who’s alone at recess, sharing crayons, not interrupting someone who’s talking, etc.)
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Why we love it: It’s important for kids to be able to name their feelings in order to better understand them. This book introduces many feelings and their names.
Build on the skill: When your child is experiencing a feeling, say to them: “I see that you’re feeling [frustrated, confused, sad, jealous, etc.].” To extend this activity, try this Picasso art project about faces!
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale
Why we love it: Sometimes kids go through life a little bit too…enthusiastically. Clark in Clark the Shark has some phrases he likes to say in order to stay cool at school.
Build on the skill: When it’s time for indoor voices and your child is acting a little bit rowdy, repeat some of Clark’s phrases with your child to encourage the importance of calming down in certain situations.
Math Concepts
Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (Book 1 of the Shape Trilogy)
Why we love it: Recognizing shapes is a concept children should know before entering kindergarten. This book is a fun way to practice!
Build on the skill: Play with blocks together and talk about the different shapes. Don’t forget to practice 3D shapes, such as cubes, cones, and pyramids.
Billions of Bricks by Kurt Cyrus
Why we love it: A busy construction crew builds and the child learns about counting in quantities – it’s a win-win.
Build on the skill: Gather any item of multiples (candy, blocks, straws, etc.) and group them together to count in quantities!
A Million Dots by Andrew Clements
Why we love it: Sometimes concepts can be hard to understand without something to visualize. Well, if you’re wondering what a million looks like, read this book with your child. It’s a great visualization for number concepts.
Build on the skill: Draw as many dots as you can together with your child. Also, try this really fun circle art project and then count the dots!
Teddy Bear Counting by Barbara McGrath
Why we love it: This book will help your child practice counting to 12, as well as counting down from 12 – often a skill we forget to teach. In addition, your child will practice colors and primary shapes.
Build on the skill: When you go up a set of stairs, count from 1 onward. When you come down a set of stairs, count backward together.
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
Why we love it: A square transforms. It’s a great geometric introduction.
Build on the skill: Practice drawing shapes together. Make up new shapes together. Or, check out this shapes and colors art project!
Motor Skills
Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith
Why we love it: Bear’s dancing is so contagious, we just can’t sit down to read this book!
Build on the skill: Get up and dance with Bear!
Dancing Feet! by Debby Craig
Why we love it: Not only do you practice animal recognition, children can also get up and move their feet.
Build on the skill: Get up and dance like the animals. Use those feet!
Stretch by Doreen Cronin
Bounce by Doreen Cronin
Wiggle by Doreen Cronin
Why we love it: Move, move, move! Stretch, bounce, and wiggle with your child as you read rhyming text.
Build on the skill: Get up and move together!
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Why we love it: The encouragement to move like different animals is wonderful animal recognition practice as well as a great way to exercise muscles.
Build on the skill: When the book asks, “Can you do it?” show that you can with your child!
If You’re Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition by James Warhola
Why we love it: It’s a familiar song with a twist! The pictures are great for referencing as everyone is jumping around together!
Build on the skill: Make up your own actions and words to “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
And these are our kindergarten concepts books! Any suggestions you have? Please leave them in the comments or email Jaime at info@learnplayread.com.
For More Kindergarten Readiness Resources, check out:
