Contributed by Tim Brugger, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

In addition to quality nap time (something many of us still appreciate), finger painting and storytelling, kindergarten is a great place to lay a foundation for learning.

Helping our youngsters appreciate the joy of education from an early age sets the stage for a lifetime of learning.

Measuring kindergarten success doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s simply a matter of providing the right tools that make learning fun. To get you started, here are the Best of Kindergarten Success Tools.

Teaching cash register

Basic money concepts

Learning to identify money and understand the basic concepts of change is a great way to start your kindergartener on the way to math (and life) success. It’s also an important step towards understanding why that designer-label-upper-triple-didget pair of jeans isn’t really the best choice for back-to-school. And this cheerful red teaching cash register makes the learning process into a game your soon-to-be kindergartener will love to play.

Archaeology kit

Combines world history and science

The perfect introduction to science, Egyptology and Indiana Jones, the Egyptian Pyramid Archaeology Kit from the one and only Metropolitan Museum of Art Store is sure to spark the imagination. Kindergarten success is assured by using the hieroglyphics to unlock the mysteries inside. Some may think this a bit beyond the average 5 or 6 year old, but as any kindergarten teacher will tell you; don’t make the mistake of underestimating our short people.

Getting ready for school

The skills they need, the fun they want

Making sure your kindergartener has the skills and knowledge to start school off right is one of the very best kindergarten success tools you can find.

Take the Hot Dots Jr “Getting Ready for School” set. It feels like a game. But it’s really providing your little one with the basics they need to recognize patterns, match images, count shapes and follow directions. And that adds up to a great start in kindergarten.

Collectible Figures

Imagination fuel

Creativity is the mother of invention; or some such nonsense as that. Anyway, there’s no denying that kindergarten success must include play – and play that teaches is the best kind. Animal and dinosaur figures are great way to utilize the imagination, and the collectibles fit the bill nicely. They can even be used to introduce children to the concept of evolution, and explore the subjects of science, geography and the environment. Not bad for a handful of plastic animals.

A healthy body

Keep them moving, keep them active

Just because a child is starting kindergarten doesn’t mean playtime should end. In fact, having a strong and healthy body is one of the very best ways to give your child a headstart in school.

Installing a fun, activity-inspiring swing set, climbing gym or other playset in your yard is a great way to make playing outside more fun than hanging out on the computer or parked in front of the television. Detailed Play Systems has ready-to-assemble playsets and home playground kits of all sizes, so you can send your kids to school happy and healthy.