Too many of America's children aren't ready for kindergarten -- or for what comes after.

Only about one-in-three U.S. children are in the process of understanding or actually skilled in the kinds of math and reading activities that support the lessons they will encounter in kindergarten, according to research commissioned by Sesame Workshop. Meanwhile, only about half of children demonstrated the social, emotional and so-called executive function skills that will help them to adapt and learn during kindergarten.

In fact, more than one-third of children begin kindergarten not proficient in even one of the areas we surveyed.