What is kindergarten readiness and why is it so important? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students enter kindergarten at different skills levels, which is natural given that children come from a variety of early childhood experiences, ranging from highly-skilled-focused pre-K programs, play-based preschools, Head Start, or no preschool at all. An average kindergarten class may have children with a five-year skill range in terms of reading ability, from children who don’t recognize letters or letter sounds to those who can read short books. This makes the kindergarten teacher’s job particularly challenging.

Homer, the #1 Learn-to-Read app, is offering tips to help parents and students be better prepared for the start of kindergarten.

The transition to kindergarten can be a tough one for both children and their parents. To make the transition as easy and fun as possible, you want to make sure your child is prepared! Your teacher will probably provide a list of necessary school supplies, but in case you’d like a head-start, here’s a list of the must-have items for any incoming kindergartener!

1. Backpack

It may go without saying, but your child needs something to hold all of their supplies in! In addition, having a cool backpack can help your child feel confident and excited to begin this new experience. They may want a backpack with their favorite color, television character, or more! Check out these bags from Amazon for a starting point.