From Primary to Kindergarten: Family-Friendly Ways to Ease the Big Change in Minnesota

May 28, 2025

Kindergarten is the third year of the Montessori primary cycle and moving into kindergarten is a meaningful transition — one filled with new leadership roles, solidifying their independence, and a world of discovery. From a Montessori perspective, this change is best supported with calm, intentional guidance, a nurturing environment, and trust in your child’s natural ability to learn and adapt.

At Minnesota Montessori, we support kindergarten readiness through the Montessori method — focusing on hands-on learning, social-emotional development, and the unique pace of each child. There are many ways your family can prepare for this new stage with confidence and joy.

Montessori Kindergarten Prep Begins at Home

In Montessori, independence and confidence are built through experience — not pressure. Simple, meaningful activities at home can help your child feel capable and supported as they grow into this next chapter.

Here are a few family-friendly ideas for preparing at home:

Encourage your child to take part in practical life activities like dressing themselves, helping with snack prep, or watering plants. These tasks foster coordination, responsibility, and focus — all key elements of Montessori kindergarten prep.
Create a child-friendly space. Low hooks, accessible shelves, and small baskets allow your child to manage their own belongings and care for their environment.
Offer choices within structure. Whether it’s choosing between two shirts or deciding what book to read before bed, choices build confidence and reinforce autonomy.
Allow space for problem-solving. It can be tempting to jump in when your child struggles, but offering gentle encouragement like “What could you try next?” helps them develop perseverance and self-trust.

These daily moments reinforce the same skills your child will use in a Montessori kindergarten environment — independence, focus, and joyful curiosity.

Supporting Social-Emotional Growth During the Transition

The shift to kindergarten includes more than just academics. Children are learning how to manage emotions, build friendships, and adapt to a new daily rhythm. Families play a powerful role in supporting this emotional readiness.

Here are a few school transition tips for parents rooted in the Montessori approach:

Involve your child in preparing for the change. Visit the new school together, explore the playground, and talk about what they might see or do.
Keep conversations open and positive. Invite your child to share their feelings, and offer reassurance through consistency and calm routines.
Build predictable rhythms. Practicing things like morning prep, lunch packing, or bedtime at the same time each day helps your child feel secure and confident in what’s to come.
Read stories together that reflect transitions and growing up. Books with themes of courage, kindness, and curiosity can help your child understand their experience in a gentle way.

By reinforcing a sense of safety and belonging, your child can approach the change with calm excitement.

Understanding Readiness the Montessori Way

Kindergarten readiness isn’t about mastering a list of academic tasks — it’s about supporting your child’s development in a way that respects their natural timeline. In Montessori, we see readiness as a combination of emotional growth, social awareness, physical coordination, and a growing desire to explore and engage with the world.

Your child might be ready if they:

Can follow basic routines and directions
Show interest in caring for themselves and their environment
Enjoy working independently or with a peer
Express needs and ideas with words
Demonstrate concentration and curiosity during activities

Every child will reach these points in their own time. What matters most is the support and encouragement they receive along the way.

Walking the Path Together

You know your child better than anyone — and you’re already doing so much to help them succeed. Whether you’re encouraging independence through small tasks or simply offering your attention during a bedtime story, you’re preparing your child for what’s ahead.

At Adventure Montessori, we work in partnership with families to support children’s growth through thoughtful transitions and meaningful learning. You don’t have to rush this moment — just be present, observe, and celebrate how far your child has already come.

Experience the Montessori Kindergarten Journey

Our Montessori guides at Minnesota Montessori help children step into kindergarten with confidence, curiosity, and joy. Through uninterrupted morning activity cycles alongside their younger classmates, or engaging in self-directed activities, we make this next step a natural continuation of their growth.

Book a tour today to see how our approach to Montessori kindergarten prep supports your child’s transition from primary — with intention, care, and a deep respect for who they are becoming.