As summer unwinds, children experience a mix of emotions as they prepare for the first day of school. While the week before kindergarten is an exciting time for families, it can also come with a fair amount of anxiety.
Countdown to Kindergarten, a statewide initiative developed by South Carolina First Steps, supports rising kindergarteners and their families through a series of six weekly, one-on-one visits with their future teacher before school begins. These sessions are designed to ease fears and build confidence as children transition into “big school.”
Each visit focuses on a different area of development—such as math, language, or fine motor skills—and includes guided activities and take-home materials that families can continue using throughout the summer.
To celebrate the program and set a joyful tone for the year ahead, Lancaster County First Steps hosted its annual back to school celebration for families enrolled in Countdown to Kindergarten. The event featured bowling, face painting, mini golf, bouncy house fun, and ice cream.
The Countdown to Kindergarten Celebration marked the culmination of six weeks of hard work and connection-building between teachers, children, and families. Lancaster teacher Crystal Stevens was amongst many Countdown to Kindergarten teachers at the event, helping kiddos find their mark.
“This year, I got to meet eleven of my new students who will be in my class in August,” she said. “I gave them information during each visit, a book to take home, and handouts for parents—not just on what we were doing at each session, but tips and activities to help their child succeed in the upcoming year.”
Crystal recalled one student in particular who made significant progress during the six-week program. “At the first visit, he was very shy—he didn’t really want to talk to me. It was very one-sided. But by the next visit, he came running in, excited to see me. It's those small moments that make a big difference. When August comes and students walk into the classroom, they’ll know that this is their place, and that they already have a connection with their teacher.”
These early connections also give teachers valuable insights into how best to support each child’s learning. “I had one student who struggled with holding a pencil. That showed me he was working through a fine motor issue. I was able to adjust our visits to give him the support he needed.”
Each lesson in Countdown to Kindergarten is designed as a hands-on activity. One week may feature math manipulatives; another might involve a scavenger hunt exploring science through the five senses. Journaling is also a core component of the program.
“I made sure to include journaling at every visit,” Crystal explained. “It gives students a chance to draw with markers or colored pencils and strengthen their fine motor skills. But more than that, it opens the door for conversations about what kindergarten will be like—it helps lay the foundation for the year ahead.”
By practicing these activities before the school year starts, students become familiar with classroom expectations and daily routines, making their transition smoother and more successful.
By the time the first day of school arrives, these rising kindergarteners are more confident and capable—they’ve built relationships, developed routines, and taken their first steps into a lifetime of learning. For families, the journey brings comfort and reassurance. For teachers like Crystal, it offers a valuable head start in understanding each student’s strengths and needs.
With every journal entry, every scavenger hunt, and every smile exchanged, Countdown to Kindergarten lays a foundation for a joyful and supported start to school and long-term academic success.
Learn more about Countdown to Kindergarten.
Topics:
School Transition
