Top 5 Things Needed in Your Backpack That are Not School Supplies

Preparing your little one for kindergarten isn’t just about letters and numbers. Your child will be transitioning into a group learning environment that relies on socialization, communication, and behavioral skills. At HHF, we’re here to help kids develop the skills they need for a smooth transition into a group learning environment.

Early intervention makes a huge difference! Starting before age three can have a major impact, and our intensive 1:1 ABA services (25-40 hours per week) help build a strong foundation. Our goal? Helping kids move from one-on-one support to thriving in a classroom setting.

Which skills do we prioritize? – Think of it like packing a backpack, but not just with crayons and notebooks. We teach them essential life skills to navigate the learning and social landscape of kindergarten. Here are the top 5 “non-school supply” basics we focus on.

1. Imitation: Learning by Watching and Doing

Imitation is how kids learn—it’s the foundation for playing games, following directions, and making friends! Think about circle time:

At HHF, we focus on building peer imitation skills—a key to social learning and classroom participation. This is especially important for children with autism, who can absorb so much just by observing others at play and following along. By strengthening these skills, we help kids feel more confident, connected, and ready to join in the fun!

2. Sustaining Attention: Focus for Success

The secret to success in class? Attention! Can your child sit through a song, a story, or a group lesson? We help kids gradually build their ability to stay engaged and participate in class activities.

Our programs are designed to help children sustain attention for longer periods, allowing them to soak in more and learn even better! The more kids practice, the more they’re ready to take on the next challenge!

3. Communication: It’s About Connection, Not Just Words!

Communication is about more than just talking—it’s about:

Functional communication skills give kids the ability to join classroom conversations, ask for help when needed, and make friends.

At HHF, we help children improve their communication skills so they can express themselves confidently and understand others better. Our ABA services in Edison, NJ, and our other clinics use communication as an early step in autism therapy.

4. Functional Play: Engaging and Interacting

Play isn’t just fun—it’s how kids learn about the world and connect with others! We help children develop functional play skills:

These skills are essential for building friendships and thriving in a kindergarten classroom. The more kids practice, the more confident and social they become!

5. Coping & Flexibility: Navigating Challenges with Resilience

Kindergarten can be tough! Kids face new experiences and big feelings. That’s why we aim to build flexibility and tolerance to help kids:

We create natural opportunities to target these essential life skills. One example is how we incorporate play and toys, like Legos, to create teachable moments. Let’s be real—Legos fall apart. Towers tumble. Pieces don’t fit. And when that happens, we can practice how to stay calm when things don’t go as planned.

At our autism center in Mount Laurel, NJ and our other clinics, we focus on individualized care because we know every child has their own strengths and challenges. Our approach is like a preschool class with a twist—circle time and group activities paired with 1:1 support, so each child gets the structure they need while still receiving the attention to thrive.

Kindergarten readiness is a holistic process. By focusing on these “non-school supply” fundamentals – imitation, attention, communication, play, and coping skills – we can provide your child with the knowledge that they will need to thrive in the kindergarten classroom and all through life. Questions? Contact our team today!