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Ten Tips for
Kindergarten Preparation
By Jody Pawel
www.parentstoolshop.com/tele/telearchive.htm
The new world of school brings many changes for children. Starting
kindergarten will be a new world that is quite different from what
they've experienced. The school's rules might be different from your
rules, so children must learn flexibility. Children need to sit still
for longer periods of time than they are used to, so they must have
self-control and self-discipline. Teachers might have a different
teaching and communication style than their parents, so children must
learn effective listening and communication skills.
Since children this age don't understand time well, a month can seem
like a lifetime to a child this age. So spend the last few weeks of
summer easing your child into this new transition by following these
ten simple tips:
1.
Attend the kindergarten orientation - even if this is your sixth child
- and take notes. Follow any recommendations the school offers.
2. Visit the school. Let the child
see the inside of the classroom and feel comfortable being there. Talk
to the teacher and have her explain what the child's day will be like.
3. If separation is an issue, talk
to the teacher about your concerns. Practice by leaving your child with
a trusted friend/relative for increasing time periods.
4. Arrange a tour of the school
bus. Walk through the process of getting on the bus. Bus drivers can
help explain this and offer safety tips.
5. Find out where the buses park
(or where you will park if you're driving) and walk the child from the
entry door to their classroom, so they can confidently find their way
the first day.
6. Involve your child in shopping
for supplies and let him organize his backpack.
7. Practice self-help skills.
Teachers don't have much time to help each individual child, so make
sure your child can zip, button, tie shoes, and tell which shoe goes on
which foot. Give her opportunities at home to organize and care for her
own toys and clothes. And make sure she's independent in using the
toilet and washing her hands.
8. Develop and refine your child's
social skills, including: listening when others talk, sharing, taking
turns; staying in one's own space, and telling an adult when he needs
help.
9. Find out what skills the
teacher expects your child to know and weave these skills into everyday
activities. For example, play games that involve counting. Engage your
child in measuring and counting while you cook, garden or shop. Choose
a "letter of the day" and see how many things you can find that begin
with that letter. Make up silly rhymes or create a story by taking
turns adding a sentence. Keep it light and fun, without pressure.
10. Openly discuss any fears or
questions your child has. Don't downplay or minimize these feelings.
Children need to be able to release tears and express negative
feelings, too, as they are all a natural part of change, transition and
growth. Prepare a plan for how your child can independently handle
problems that may arise.
Know
that you have been preparing your child for kindergarten since the
first day of his life - and know you are not alone in your attempts to
make the transition go smoothly. By working with your child and the
teachers as a team, the new world of school can be an exciting
adventure and positive experience.
Jody Johnston Pawel, LSW,
CFLE is a second-generation parent educator and president of
Parent's Toolshop® Consulting. She is the author of 100+ resources
for parents and family service professionals, including her
award-winning book, The Parent's
Toolshop. Since 1980, Jody has trained parents and
professionals through her dynamic presentations and served as
internationally recognized parenting expert to the media
worldwide. Get practical parenting resources, including more
information about this topic
at: http://www.parentstoolshop.com/tele/telearchive.htm. Permission granted for use on
DrLaura.com.
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