As families in Virginia welcome children to kindergarten this September, Virginia Virtual Academy (VVA) is highlighting three core skills that will help young learners thrive: independence, communication and curiosity. The academy’s new Jumpstart program offers simple, weekly activities that parents can use at home to reinforce these abilities.
Independence: Building Confidence Early
VVA stresses that the most valuable gift parents can give their children is the chance to do things on their own. Simple daily routines—getting dressed, putting on shoes, washing hands, opening lunch containers and caring for personal belongings—teach children to trust their own abilities. In a virtual classroom, independence also means gathering supplies, finding a pencil, turning book pages and knowing where to place completed work. When a child says, “Let me do it,” they are practicing persistence as well as self‑reliance, preparing them to tackle unfamiliar tasks and solve small problems.
Communication: Expressing Needs and Listening
The second skill VVA highlights is clear communication. Kindergarteners need to feel comfortable saying, “I need help,” “I don’t understand,” “I feel sad,” or “May I have a turn?” These phrases enable teachers to respond appropriately and prevent frustration. Parents can reinforce communication by encouraging children to speak clearly, raise a hand, take turns and explain when something is wrong. Listening is equally important; children should practice paying attention to short directions, waiting while others speak and responding to what they hear. Reading books together and discussing characters’ feelings further develops vocabulary and empathy.
Curiosity: Fostering a Love of Learning
Curiosity, the third pillar, is the desire to wonder, explore and ask questions. VVA believes it matters more than having all the answers. Parents can nurture curiosity with everyday experiences: take a walk and notice leaves, clouds, colors, numbers, shapes or sounds; invite children to predict what will happen during a simple activity; ask, “What do you notice?” or “What do you think?” These moments encourage children to engage with the world around them.
Jumpstart Weekly Activities
To make skill‑building easy, VVA’s Jumpstart program suggests a themed activity for each weekday:
- Matching Monday – simple matching games to develop focus.
- Tracing Tuesday – tracing letters or shapes to build fine‑motor skills.
- Wonder Wednesday – open‑ended questions that spark curiosity.
- Think and Create Thursday – creative projects that encourage problem‑solving.
- Fun Friday – playful activities that reinforce the week’s lessons.
These activities are designed for short, daily practice, reinforcing independence, communication and curiosity both at school and at home.
Why These Skills Matter
According to VVA’s lead kindergarten teacher, Alexis Tardive, “Independence, communication, and curiosity create a strong foundation for kindergarten success.” While academic knowledge will develop with patient instruction, these three skills equip children to become confident learners, caring classmates and enthusiastic participants in school.
Families who consistently provide small opportunities for children to practice these skills help their kids believe they can try, speak up and learn. That confidence not only prepares them for kindergarten but also for every classroom and challenge that follows.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
