Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten

If you have a child going to kindergarten, you know the mix of emotions you and your child may feel as the beginning of school approaches. Fear, anxiety and excitement are all valid emotions as you both prepare for this first big step toward independence and knowledge. The fact is, kindergarten shouldn't be the first place to teach basic skills. It's easiest if this process begins with you way before the first day of school. Here are some ways to get your child ready for the classroom.

Read: This is perhaps the most important thing you can do to get your child ready for school. Begin early---even when your child is a baby. This is not only great for parent-child bonding, it also strengthens important skills such as cause and effect, predicting, and comprehension. It aides in language development as well as letter and word recognition. Relaxed reading time with your child teaches him or her the art of sitting still and helps lengthen short attention spans. Choose books with bright colors, exciting pictures and short text on each page.

Socialize: It's important that your child learn certain social skills before he or she goes to school. Play is a huge part of kindergarten, so sharing, positive social interaction, and conflict resolution are all things your child should have a basic knowledge of before entering the classroom on the first day of school. You can help your child develop these skills beginning as early as the toddler years by playing with them yourself. Play with blocks by taking turns stacking or color a picture together. Work your way up to simple board games, like Candy Land, Go Fish, or matching games. Not only do these teach basic math and recall skills, they will also get your child accustomed to taking turns and sharing, as well as winning and losing. Join play groups or enroll your child in preschool a couple of days a week to get them used to playing with other kids. This is especially useful if your child is an only child or if there is a large age gap between siblings.

Set a Schedule: Kids need a routine, a basic eat, play, sleep schedule. Having some sort of knowledge of what is going to happen during the day lowers stress levels and may cause an increase in good behavior. Getting your child used to a routine early on also helps them become accustomed to the structured activities of a school day. Try to keep a routine schedule of eat, sleep and play time with your preschooler. A few weeks before the start of school, get your child in the habit of an early bedtime, as well as an early start to the day. Many times, getting up in the morning is the most difficult adjustment for a child who is accustomed to sleeping in.

Discuss the Details: Be excited when you talk to your child about school. Focus on the positive, such as the fun they will have, the things they will learn, and the friends they will meet. Point out to your child that they aren't the only one who are just starting school. Most of the kids in their classroom will be in a new place as well. Tell them what they can expect to learn and do during the day. Allow them to voice any concerns, and provide reassurance to ease any anxiety they may be having. Take advantage of kindergarten orientation, when the school allows parents and children to visit the classroom before the start of school. Spend time exploring different areas of the classroom with your child and allow them to become familiar with the teacher. This way, the first day of school won't seem like a trip into the unknown.

You know your child best, so tailor your preparation to their individual needs. Begin early, focusing on areas in which your kindergartener needs strengthening, and you will provide them with a strong beginning to their school career.


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