If you’ve been thinking about your child’s transition to preschool, kindergarten or formal schooling, you might be wondering: What exactly is school readiness? And how do I help my child get there without pressure or overwhelm?
At Papilio Early Learning, we believe school readiness is not about early academics or ticking boxes — it’s about nurturing your child’s confidence, independence, and curiosity. The journey starts well before the first day of school, and it can be supported through the simple, everyday moments you already share at home.
That’s why we’ve created a free printable resource for families: 10 Easy School Readiness Activities to Do at Home (PDF) — designed to help you build foundational skills through playful, practical experiences.
Why School Readiness Starts at Home
Research confirms what many families already feel intuitively — young children learn best through connection, movement, and real-life experiences. According to the Australian Early Development Census, the five developmental domains most strongly linked to later school success include:
- Emotional regulation
- Social competence
- Independence and physical wellbeing
- Language and cognitive skills (early literacy)
- Numeracy and problem-solving skills
These aren’t skills children need to master overnight. They develop gradually — through getting dressed in the morning, helping set the table, talking about stories, or playing with friends.
With the right support, your child can develop the confidence they need to thrive in their early years and beyond.
When Does My Child Start Preschool, Kindergarten or School?
Across Australia, the age children begin their preschool or kindergarten year — and what it’s called — varies by state or territory.
To help simplify things, we’ve created a state-by-state age guide on our website, along with an overview of what your child will learn in Papilio’s school readiness program. You’ll find that our programs are intentionally designed to meet each child where they are, and help them grow through real, meaningful learning experiences.
10 Easy School Readiness Activities to Try at Home
Here are just some of the fun, practical ideas you’ll find in our free downloadable guide — each one linked to the skills children need to flourish at school.
1. Emotional Regulation
Support your child in understanding and managing their emotions in healthy ways.
- Feelings Charades – Take turns acting out different feelings and guessing them. This encourages emotional language and awareness.
- Create a Calm-Down Box – Include soft toys, sensory items, drawing materials or a favourite book they can use when feeling overwhelmed.
Why it helps: Learning to regulate emotions builds resilience and helps children settle into new environments like school.
2. Social Skills
Foster confidence in social situations by encouraging cooperation, empathy and communication.
- Family Game Night – Simple games help children practice taking turns, managing frustration and understanding rules.
- Playdate Practice – Short, relaxed playdates provide opportunities for sharing, negotiation, and navigating group play.
Why it helps: Social confidence supports relationship-building, teamwork and positive peer interactions at school.
3. Independence
Encourage your child to take responsibility for small, age-appropriate tasks in daily life.
- Lunchbox Practice – Let your child open their own containers and drink bottles. This supports their ability to manage mealtimes independently at school.
- Dress for Success – Support your child in dressing themselves, putting on their shoes, and packing their bag.
Why it helps: Independence empowers children, builds self-esteem and reduces stress in unfamiliar environments.
4. Early Literacy
Nurture a love for language, storytelling, and communication.
- Storytime with Questions – During or after reading, ask open-ended questions like “Why do you think that happened?” or “What do you think will happen next?”
- Name Hunt – Help your child recognise their name around the home — on labels, drawings or lunchboxes.
Why it helps: Engaging with language in playful ways lays a strong foundation for reading and writing at school.
5. Early Numeracy
Explore numbers, patterns and problem-solving through play and real-life experiences.
- Shape Hunt – Search for shapes in your home, garden or local park — circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.
- Counting Helper – Involve your child in counting tasks like setting the table, sorting laundry, or packing groceries.
Why it helps: Play-based numeracy helps children make sense of the world around them and builds early maths confidence.
What’s in the Free Download?
Our printable guide includes:
- 10 engaging, low-prep activities aligned to key school readiness areas
- Easy-to-follow instructions using everyday items
- Explanations of how each activity supports your child’s development
Experience the Papilio Approach to School Readiness
At Papilio, our Preschool and Kindergarten programs are tailored for children aged 3–5 and offer a premium early education experience. We focus on:
- Project-based, child-led learning – Empowering children to explore their interests and take ownership of their learning
- Exploring technology with purpose – Introducing tools that build digital literacy in age-appropriate ways
- Enrichment programs that inspire – Including STEM, music, movement and language, helping children discover their passions
Visit our Preschool & Kindergarten page to learn more.
In Summary
- School readiness starts with simple, everyday interactions at home
- Focus on the five key skills: emotional regulation, social confidence, independence, early literacy, and numeracy
- Our free download offers 10 fun, practical activities to build these skills
- Papilio’s premium programs give children the tools they need for a confident start to school
- You can check school start ages and program details by state on our website
What’s Next?
Not quite ready to book a tour?
Start by downloading our free printable and follow Papilio on Facebook for more learning ideas and inspiration.
Want to explore your local centre?
Find your nearest Papilio and book a tour today.