Before Reading and Writing: The Skills Children Need First

Before Reading, Writing, and Maths

When we think about school readiness, we often think of: Writing letters, counting numbers and reading words

These are important skills. But before children can succeed in these areas, they need to develop foundation skills.

Foundation skills help children:

• Sit and listen during group time

• Follow simple instructions

• Use their hands with control

• Manage their body and emotions in a classroom

Without these skills, learning becomes much harder—even if a child is bright.

Let's look at an example of a child named Bobo who is 4 years old

What is really going on with Bobo?

Bobo is a happy little child. He loves his toys, enjoys watching videos, and is always moving. But in class, his teachers started noticing a few things. Bobo finds it hard to sit during circle time. He cannot sit on his chair at the table for long. He gets up, moves around, and looks restless. At home, his parents notice something similar. He struggles to share toys with his sibling. He gets upset quickly when someone takes his toy. He also finds it difficult to peel a mandarin during break time by himself.

At first, it looks like Bobo is being “naughty” or “not listening”. But when we look closely, we see something else.

The Role of Physical Development

Bobo has weaker core muscles.

Core strength helps children:

• Sit upright for longer

• Stay balanced on a chair

• Use their hands effectively

• Manage their body during learning activities

When these muscles are still developing, sitting still requires much more effort. With the right support, children can build these skills.

Why Active Play Is Essential

Bobo spent most of his time indoors, and his daycare had limited outdoor space.

This meant fewer chances to:

• Run and climb

• Hang from monkey bars

• Push, pull, and balance

• Explore freely outdoors

These movements are not just play. They prepare children to meet classroom expectations.

Language Matters Too

Sharing is a learned skill.

Bobo had not yet developed the vocabulary to say things like:

• “Can I have a turn?”

• “You can play after me”

Children learn this through adult interaction, modelling, and everyday conversation with familiar adults and friends.

You can read more from my blog on 'Nurturing your child's language skills from the very beginning'.

A Gentle Reflection

Bobo’s story reminds us to ask:

• Are children getting enough time to move and play outside?

• Do they have chances to climb, run, and explore?

• Are we spending time talking with them and introducing new words?

When foundation skills are supported, children are better able to meet classroom expectations and enjoy learning.

This is where the selling happens — quietly.

How a Wooden Train Set Supports Foundation Skills

When Bobo builds a train track, he is working on several important skills at once: Core strength as he sits on the floor and reaches forward to connect tracks.

If you would like to have a look at our train set click on the link