The Follow-Up: Kindergarten Readiness Is Not What You Think

If the phrase “kindergarten readiness” sends you into a spiral of flashcards and phonics drills, this one’s for you. In this follow-up episode, I chat with Susie Allison (@busytoddler), former kindergarten teacher and mom of three, to reframe how we think about school prep. Spoiler: it’s not about who can write their name in cursive or recite the alphabet backwards. We talk about: Why academic checklists miss the bigger picture The real skills that help kids thrive in school (like asking for help and taking turns) Why earlier isn’t always better when it comes to reading How to raise kind, confident kids without burning yourself out trying to be their full-time teacher Whether your child is starting kindergarten soon or you’re just feeling the pressure to “keep up,” this episode is your permission slip to focus on what actually matters. 🎧 Download, follow, and share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder. 📌 Want the full episode? Head to pedsdoctalk.com for more! Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices