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Get Ready for Kindergarten
Ease the stress on that momentous first day of kindergarten and prepare your child for success in the year ahead.
The first day of kindergarten is tearful for parents, who can’t believe their child is growing up so fast. For the child, however, it doesn’t have to be a time for tears. We collected tips from veteran principals on preparing for a smooth transition to kindergarten.
Allow your child to become familiar with the school by driving past it as often as you can during the summer, advises Eddie Manuszak, principal of Patterson Elementary in Tecumseh, Mich.
Tour the school during the summer, even if your child visited on registration day, just to get her more comfortable in the building. Most schools are staffed during the summer by the principal, assistant principals, and other administrators.
Bring up school in conversations at home as much as possible. Talk about the fun things your child will get to do. Don’t express regret that he’s starting school. Make sure he views it as a positive step. (see: How To Talk About School)
Make shopping for school supplies a fun experience. Get a list from the school of exactly what is allowed and expected. Some schools forbid rolling backpacks, colored markers, or other familiar supplies. Let your child make some choices about the color of her backpack or the type of pencil case. (see: Talk about School Supplies)
Start the school bedtime routine a month before school starts. Parents can scale back gradually, having the child go to bed just five or 10 minutes earlier each night. “It takes 30 days to establish a routine,” Manuszak says. “You don’t want your child to be too worn out to make it through the day.” (see: Routines and Schedules Start the Year Right)
Work with your child during the summer on making healthy food choices. Most kindergartners are given some choices if they buy their lunch at school. For example, some schools sell whole, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and 2 percent milk. Children used to having Mom make all their decisions may be overwhelmed, and most will be tempted to make the tastiest, and often unhealthiest, choice. (see: You Can Help Your Child Make Healthy Food Choices)
Check out books from the library that help ease jitters about starting school. Manuszak recommends The Night Before Kindergarten, by Natasha Wing, and The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn.
Attend every open house and meet-the-teacher event offered. Stop by the parent involvement table for information on joining the PTO—it’s a great way to meet other parents with children in the same class and to keep up with what’s going on at school.
Prepare yourself. “You are going to cry,” Manuszak says. “Be strong and don’t cry in front of your child. Hold the tears until you’re in your car.”
Work with your child throughout the summer on academic skills such as writing her name or reading letters—but only if she’s ready. “You know your child best,” Manuszak says. “Follow your child’s lead. Don’t force it. Drilling them before they’re ready creates stress.”
Do arts-and-crafts projects with your child during the summer. He’ll get more comfortable using scissors, markers, and other supplies that he’ll see plenty of in kindergarten.
Ask your school whether they have a kindergarten handbook for parents. Sandra Watson, director of elementary education in Fayette County, Ga., and a former principal, authored a handbook for parents of kindergartners in her district, and parents often refer to it during the summer when questions and fears arise about their child starting school.
Find out whether the kindergarten curriculum is available online and familiarize yourself with what today’s kindergartners are expected to learn. Kindergarten has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Many of the skills your child will learn were once taught in 1st grade. (see: Kindergarten Academics: What To Expect)
Talk to your school’s principal about their philosophy of kindergarten. Some educators believe in making kindergarten more play-oriented, like preschool, while others believe it’s time for kids to sit at desks like 1st graders. Understanding your school leader’s philosophy will help you understand what your child is learning and why.
Make sure your child has the necessary immunizations to start school.
Be prepared for a wide range of kids in your child’s class. “Kids come in A to Z,” says Watson. “Some don’t know their last name and others are reading at a 1st grade level and higher.” Don’t make it a competition. Development at this age varies from child to child. By 3rd grade, most kids will be at the same level, but younger kids need to be allowed to grow at their own pace.
Over the summer, work with your child on problem-solving. Some kids are whizzes with flash cards but unable to think for themselves when a problem arises. “Give your child a chance to answer who, what, where, and why questions,” Watson says. “Going grocery shopping can be a great learning experience in preparation for school.”
Getting ready for kindergarten doesn’t have to be the main focus of your summer. Your child will be too busy playing to think much about it. But taking time to familiarize your child with school and educate yourself on what modern kindergarten is all about will go a long way toward guaranteeing a smooth transition.
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More information and ideas to help your kids in school this year:
Posted by - jodie on Aug. 31, 2010
my son just trun 5 and in kindergarden, he is doing very well. he is at the top of his class in all most thing but he still need's help wrighting his m's and his 3's. i try and teach him but every time he dosent get it right he want's to go into a hessy fit has i call them. what can i do?Posted by - Lisa on Aug. 14, 2010
Does anyone know how long the August 2010 kindergarten open house for Archimedean Academy typically lasts & what it entails?Posted by - Samantha Robinson on Aug. 11, 2010
My son, who will be 6 in October, will be starting kindergarten this fall. I'm worried about how he will perform. Part of me thinks he's not ready. What can I do to make this transition from Pre-school to Kindergarten go alot smoother?Posted by - Lisa on Aug. 06, 2010
Im scared my daughter isnt going to be ready, she cant write her own name and at times its hard for other people to understand what shes saying....HELLLLPPPP!. I want her to be ready of course i still have a full year before she starts kinder. But i dont know how to teach herPosted by - Kelly on Jun. 24, 2010
I'm struggling with the decision of sending my daughter to kindergarten or pre-k for 5 year olds. Her 5th birthday is in late July. I feel like she is ready academically, and she is very social. But her preschool teachers suggested the pre-k class, because she will be a young 5 year old. I wasn't very happy with her preschool experience (teachers) last year, so I'm having a hard time taking their advice. She may need some practice with cutting and sometimes her emotions. She can write her name in capitals, and she has great speaking and comprehension skills. I often wonder about the future and how being a younger student will affect her. Any advice??Posted by Lisa @ School Family on Jun. 17, 2010
Javi-Every school district has a different cut off date for when your child needs to be 5 by, so I would call your school district to find out the details for your city or town.
Posted by - javi on Jun. 16, 2010
MY DAUGHTER JUST TURNED 4, BUT SHE DIDN'T ATTEND ANY SCHOOL YET BUT I MOSTLY TAUGHT HER AT HOME SHE'S VERY SMART, I'M CONFUSE THAT HOW ABOUT IF SHE START KINDERGARDEN SCHOOL IN SEP, 2010, WILL SHE BE QUALIFY FOR HER AGE? BECAUSE BY THAT TIME SHE GOING TO BE 4 AND HALF...PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SHOULD I DO?Posted by - Barb on Feb. 14, 2010
To answer all of your questions:Most kindergarten teachers are equiped to handle children who are young and immature in academic and social areas as well as children who are advanced and ready to be challenged. Many of you are assuming that the teacher won't take into consideration your child's needs when actually you couldn't be farther than the truth. It is called "Differentiated Instruction" and it is truly more than a buzz word. What it means is that as a teacher, you provide what each child needs. As simple as that. And kindergarten teachers are generally "aces" at doing this. So give them a chance and hope your kindergarten year is fantastic!!!!
Posted by ErinTM on Aug. 18, 2009
Check out these great kindergarten worksheets.http://www.schoolfamily.com/print-and-use-tools/category/66-kindergarten-worksheets?order=date&limit=25&limitstart=0&go.x=16&go.y=12
Posted by - ruby wilson on Jun. 16, 2009
I grandson has attended 2 years of Head Start and will not be 6 until February. He is expected to start Kindergarten this fall. However I feel he will definitly become bored with the things being taught since he as had this for 2 years. He is ready I feel for 1st grade yet I don't know where to start. What should I do?Posted by - Tracie harvey on Mar. 28, 2009
i need help teach my cild to wirte one to a hunder an his abc he is back be hide with is class.Posted by - Tracie harvey on Mar. 28, 2009
i need to help my child to wirte his number to one to a hunderPosted by - Ruby Padua on Mar. 09, 2009
I want to learn more about running a kindergarten school. Please send me tips on how this can be done.Thank you
Posted by - linda on Feb. 12, 2009
I just heard my grand daughters substitute teacher pulled her arm down the hall this morning because she did not want to go with her to class. My daughter was confused whether she should just take her home.My grand daughter has had this substitute teacher before and always cries when she sees her. What to do???
Posted by - Rhonda on Jan. 23, 2009
Do not let your kids skip grades. They need the social aspect of each grade as well as the academics. If the teacher feels like they are above grade level, it is up to them to challenge your child. I have been a K teacher for 11 years, so I feel like I can give a little input. Good luck with your endeavors.Posted by - angel on Sep. 30, 2008
ok my son is 6 but i did a first grade test and he got 100 on it so should he go 2 2ondPosted by - christina on Sep. 04, 2008
My daughter just turned 6 yesterday and she did a kindergarten test today and she did it fast and great so I think she needs to go to 1st grade and she needs to do a reading and writing test and dose anyone know what they put on the test.Posted by - Amy on Aug. 27, 2008
Help my 5 year old daughter just started kindergarten and she crys when I drop her off and often during the day. Pease help any pointers would be great!! ThanksPosted by - nicole phillips on Jul. 28, 2008
my son just turned 56-1-08 hes not ready for kindergarden. so hes going to the DK at arbor elementry school in rsvl mich. would you think that would be a good program for him? so he can learn to write his name better and also reconize his numbers and letters as well. plus hel be going 5 days a wk in the afternoon.