Join the Children’s Museum of Richmond and its partners to help you and your child get ready for Kindergarten! We’ll be hosting events from April through August to help prepare your family for the first day of school. The Children’s Museum of Richmond presents an online Kindergarten Readiness Speaker Series premiering on the second Friday of each month, followed by free Kindergarten-focused events in our Downtown Museum’s lobby on the second Saturday of each month.
To earn free admission for one day for your rising Kindergartener and one caregiver, complete 5 Kindergarten Readiness activities! Please download the Kindergarten Readiness Passport to track your progress. You must collect attendance/verification codes from each event you participate in.
Read on for a full calendar of events or download the schedule here.
Other helpful documents:
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Lista de Preparacion para la Escuela
10 Ways to Get Ready for Kindergarten
10 Formas de Prepararse para la Entrada al Kínder
Berkshire Museum "In Kindergarten" Book Download
Aprendiendo en el museo: Series de preparación para el Kindergarten
Second Fridays: TIPS & TALKS
Speaker presentations go live at 6:00 pm on our Facebook page.
Presentations will then be archived on our YouTube page for continued access.
Friday, April 8: Kindergarten Readiness Tips
Panelists: Catherine Tompkins, M.Ed, Family and Community Engagement Resource Specialist at Chesterfield County Public Schools
Brittany Evans, Kindergarten Teacher of the Year at Chalkley Elementary School
Friday, May 13: Early Literacy Tips
Panelists: Cynthia Hutchinson, Ed.S, Director at Excellence in Children's Early Language & Literacy (ExCELL)
Krista Dawson, M.Ed, Director of Education at CMoR
Friday, June 10: Tips for Social-Emotional Support
Panelist: Whitney Kern, LCSW, Prevention Consultant at Chesterfield Mental Health
Friday, July 8: Readiness Tips for Caregivers
Panelists: John Richardson-Lauve, LCSW, Director of Mental Health & Lead Trauma and Resilience Educator at ChildSavers
Candace Ross, Experienced parent
Anastasia Young, First-time Kindergarten parent
Friday, August 12: Tips for Healthy Routines
Panelist: Bergen B. Nelson, MD, MS, Pediatrician and Associate Professor at the Children's Hospital of Richmond
Second Saturdays: LEARNING IN THE LOBBY
10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Playful learning activities designed by Museum educators and featuring community partners in the Downtown Museum's lobby.
Events with an asterisk (*) next to them may require supporting documents such as a birth certificate and/or proof of address.
Saturday, April 9: Look, Listen, Learn
Featuring: MEDARVA vision and hearing screenings* (first-come, first-served) and engagement with the Children's Hospital of Richmond
Saturday, May 14: Read & Discuss Stories
Featuring: Library card sign up* with librarians from Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield Public Libraries
Saturday, June 11: Big Kids, Big Feelings
Featuring: Fun activities and info to help kids deal with big feelings
Saturday, July 9: Let's Explore a School Bus
Featuring: DMV Kid ID card sign up* AND a tour of a big yellow school bus
Saturday, August 13: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
Featuring: Kids' Fitness with the YMCA, healthy habit supports, and a snack courtesy of Wegman's