LKG admission interview: what schools ask, and how to prepare without pressure

8 November 2026 · 3 min read

Your child has an LKG "interaction" next week and you are wondering whether you should be drilling rhymes and numbers tonight. Take a breath. For children this young, most schools simply want to meet a happy, comfortable child, and the best preparation is calm.

What schools usually do

Every school is different, so check with yours. Many hold a short, friendly meeting, sometimes with the parents present. A teacher may chat with your child, show a picture, ask for a name, offer a toy or a crayon, and watch how your child plays and responds. Some schools also talk to parents about routines, health and home language.

It is a conversation, not an exam. Many schools say they are looking at how a child communicates and settles, not at memorised answers. Ask the school what its process is so there are no surprises.

Things a teacher might ask

"What is your name?" and perhaps "How old are you?"
"What is your mummy's or papa's name?"
"What colour is this?" or "Can you count these blocks?"
"Can you sing a rhyme you like?"
"What do you like to eat or play?"

If your child answers in Hindi, a regional language or a mix, that is fine. Speaking in the language they know best is a good thing.

Preparing at home, gently

Practise by talking, not testing. Over the week, slip these into normal life:

Say your child's full name and ask it back as a game: "Who is this? Aarav! Aarav what?"
Count stairs, rotis, shoes, steps to the balcony.
Name colours at the market: "Find a red tomato."
Sing the rhymes your child already loves. One favourite is plenty.
Let your child hold a crayon and scribble. Perfect drawing is not needed.

Practise the situation. Play "school visit" with a teddy: you be the teacher, say hello, ask a question, wave goodbye. Walk or ride to the school once beforehand so the building is not a stranger.

Look after the basics. Good sleep, a meal before you go, a toilet visit, and a small bottle of water help far more than one more revision session.

On the day

Dress your child in comfortable clothes they can manage.
Tell them in simple words what will happen: "A teacher will say hello and play with you. Then we go home."
If your child clings, goes quiet or refuses to speak, that is common at this age. Stay calm. A warm teacher will have seen it many times.
Avoid prompting every answer. Let your child try, even if it is "wrong".

What not to do

Do not scare your child with "If you don't answer, you won't get in."
Do not compare with cousins or neighbours' children.
Do not punish or show disappointment afterwards. Say, "You went so bravely. Let's have a jalebi" or any small treat you like.

If it does not go as hoped

Admission rules differ by school and state, so ask the school what applies. Whatever the outcome, one meeting says very little about a three- or four-year-old. Children grow and change fast.

If you are worried about your child's speech, hearing or behaviour, talk to your paediatrician or the teacher. A range of development is normal.

How Child Runway helps

Child Runway has 2 to 5 minute story lessons by class, including LKG, each with a song and a game, so your child can sing along, answer and move in a relaxed way. Each lesson ends with something to try at home, such as counting steps or hunting for colours. There are no ads, and it works offline, so a few minutes on the way to school is possible without data.