Episode 6 - From VPK to Kindergarten: Navigating Literacy, Emotions, and Parent Guilt

Episode 6 - From VPK to Kindergarten: Navigating Literacy, Emotions, and Parent Guilt

From The Only Adult In The Room by The Only Adult in The Room

April 20, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges and milestones of starting Kindergarten, focusing on emotional aspects and academic readiness.

Starting Kindergarten is one of the biggest milestones in a parent's life, but it often comes with a mix of pride, anxiety, and "parent guilt." In this episode, Lindsay and Suzan share their personal stories of dropping off their little ones and offer a deep dive into what Kindergarten Readiness actually looks like in today’s world. We break down the academic requirements in Florida—including the FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) —and why social-emotional skills might be even more important for your child's success than knowing their ABCs. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Emotional Side of "Big School": Dealing with the transition and why it’s okay if you’re more of a mess than your kid. Academic Benchmarks: Understanding the Star Early Literacy Assessment and the "707" score goal for Florida students. The Power of Connection: Why face-to-face interaction and "eye contact and touch" are vital for language development following the impacts of Covid. Screen Time vs. Real Life: Why technology can't replace the "human" element of learning. A "Village" of Resources: Exploring local support like the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida , Help Me Grow , and the…

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