Building Bright Beginnings: How Cambria County Helps Families Prep for Kindergarten

Cambria County’s early childhood development initiative, Screen2Succeed, is helping families get a head start on preparing their children for kindergarten.

The program offers simple, engaging activities parents can do at home to boost foundational and social skills, setting kids up for success both in school and beyond.

Screen2Succeed encourages families to treat school preparation as more than just skill-building—it’s also a meaningful way to bond with children through play, conversation, and everyday routines.

The program recommends practicing the following skills at home:

• Taking turns and sharing.

• Following multi-step directions.

• Recognizing letters and their own name in print.

• Knowing personal details such as first and last name, age, gender, and address.

• Engaging in pretend play.

• Speaking in complete sentences.

• Holding a pencil with a three-finger grip.

• Listening to a story from start to finish.

• Counting objects up to ten and identifying basic shapes.
  
  

“Kindergarten readiness starts at home with the family,” said Nicki Sliko, Program Manager for Screen2Succeed. “The most meaningful learning happens in everyday moments—through conversation, play, and routine.”

Families can learn more about the Screen2Succeed program and access readiness resources through The Learning Lamp website.