If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is ‘school ready’ — you’re not alone. Many parents feel a little unsure, especially if this is your first time navigating the journey from early learning into primary school. The good news? You’re probably doing more to prepare your child than you realise — and it all starts with simple, everyday play.
At Milestones, we believe school readiness isn’t about memorising letters or sitting still for long periods. It’s about helping children feel confident, capable, curious, and excited about learning — and the best way to nurture that is through meaningful play.
That’s why we’ve created a free downloadable resource for families: 10 Easy School Readiness Activities to Do at Home (PDF) — a practical tool to help you support your child’s development through simple, fun moments every day.
Why School Readiness Starts at Home
According to the Australian Early Development Census, children who start school with strong emotional, social, and cognitive skills are more likely to succeed — not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.
Play is how young children learn best. Whether it’s counting while setting the table or recognising their name on their backpack, everyday moments help build the five key foundations of school readiness:
- Emotional regulation
- Social skills
- Independence
- Early literacy
- Early numeracy
When Does School Start in Your State or Territory?
Across Australia, children typically begin a preschool or kindergarten program in the year before they start formal schooling. The name and age requirements vary depending on where you live, so it’s natural to have questions.
To help make things easier, we’ve created a helpful table showing exactly when your child can start based on your state or territory. You’ll find that — along with detailed information about our school readiness program — on our School Readiness page.
10 Easy School Readiness Activities to Try at Home
We’ve gathered 10 simple, practical activities that support key school readiness skills — all of which are included in the free download.
1. Emotional Regulation
Supporting emotional development now helps children feel more confident in new environments.
- Feelings Charades – Take turns acting out feelings like happy, frustrated, excited or shy.
- Calm-Down Box – Fill a small box with items that soothe: a soft toy, colouring book, or favourite story.
Why it helps: Self-regulation supports classroom success, helps children cope with new routines, and fosters a positive mindset.
2. Social Skills
Social confidence helps children build friendships and feel secure in group settings.
- Family Game Night – Board or card games are perfect for learning to wait turns and follow rules.
- Playdate Practice – Help your child learn to share, communicate clearly, and manage small conflicts.
Why it helps: Strong social skills ease separation anxiety and support healthy relationships at school.
3. Independence
Giving your child the chance to do things on their own builds capability and self-belief.
- Lunchbox Practice – Let your child practise opening food containers and managing drink bottles.
- Dress for Success – Encourage them to put on their own shoes, jackets, or sunhats.
Why it helps: Children who can manage self-care tasks feel more confident and capable at school.
4. Early Literacy
Encouraging a love of stories and language lays the foundation for reading and writing.
- Storytime with Questions – After a book, ask “What do you think will happen next?”
- Name Hunt – Find your child’s name on labels, drawings or signs around the house.
Why it helps: Engaging with language helps build strong reading and writing foundations.
5. Early Numeracy
Everyday counting and problem-solving helps build confidence with numbers.
- Shape Hunt – Spot circles, triangles and rectangles in nature or around the home.
- Counting Helper – Involve your child in setting the table, packing lunch, or sorting toys.
Why it helps: Counting, sorting and identifying shapes builds problem-solving skills and number awareness.
What’s in the Free Download?
Our printable resource includes:
- 10 simple activities linked to key school readiness skills
- Clear explanations of how each activity supports learning
- No special materials required — just your time and a few everyday items
Want to See School Readiness in Action?
At Milestones, our Preschool and Kindergarten programs are designed to support children aged 3–5 as they build the confidence, skills and curiosity needed for a successful start to school. Our approach includes:
- Project-based, child-led learning
- Exploring technology with purpose
- Enrichment programs that inspire
To learn more about our programs and how we support your child’s unique learning journey, visit our School Readiness page.
In Summary
- School readiness starts at home, through simple everyday play
- Focus on five key areas: emotional regulation, social skills, independence, early literacy, and early numeracy
- Our free download offers 10 practical activities to support these skills
- Milestones centres offer expert programs to nurture and extend your child’s learning
- You can check your state’s school age guidelines on our website
What’s Next?
Not ready to book a tour just yet?
Download the free resource and follow us on Facebook for more school readiness tips and learning ideas.
Ready to take the next step?
Find your nearest Milestones centre and book a tour today.