Countdown to Kindergarten!

For parents of new Kindergarteners, it is essential to prepare your child for the changes in routine that the start of the school year brings. Even if your child has attended preschool, the daily routine of kindergarten is a major change in the child's life. Kindergarteners interact with adults in new ways, interact with peers in large and small groups, and are expected to follow directions throughout the school day.

What can parents do to help prepare their Kindergarten age child for school routines?

Establish routines at home

Young children thrive on routine. The demands of the school year are often exhausting for new Kindergarten students. If you have not already established a set bedtime and wake up time for your child, begin now. Practice this new sleep schedule for at least two weeks before school begins.

When school begins, your child may be unusually tired at the end of the school day. An early bedtime may be a "must," especially for children enrolled in full day Kindergarten programs.

Establish a set mealtime, as well. Bath time, story time, and bedtime can follow shortly after dinner to assure that your child gets adequate rest.

Promote Independence

In the days before Kindergarten begins, encourage your child to dress him/herself as completely as possible. Hang or fold clothing in color coordinated outfits, so that the child can choose his/her own clothing for the day. Practice skills with buttons, zippers, and tying shoes.

Help your child's Kindergarten teacher by insuring that your child can put on his/her own jacket. Encourage practice! Recess times are short and precious moments are lost when the teacher spends time zipping coats.

Reinforce good hygiene in the bathroom. Kindergarteners should be able to anticipate the need to use the rest room, use toilet tissue independently, and wash and dry their hands after toileting.

Look for opportunities for your Kindergartener to learn responsibility by sharing in family chores. Feeding a pet, picking up toys, and clearing his/her plate from the dinner table will teach the importance of responsible behavior.

The more independently your child completes basic tasks, the more confidence s/he will have at school.

Promote Interaction

Opportunities to play with other children in structured and informal settings promote development of important language skills and social skills.

Participating in structured learning activities gives your child practice following directions in group settings. Even if your child has not attended preschool, there is still time to participate in library story times, neighborhood play groups, or Vacation Bible School to give your Kindergartener the opportunity to interact with other children and with an adult other than Mom or Dad.

Limit television time for your Kindergartener. Instead, encourage your child to engage in meaningful interaction with family members and friends.

Promote Communication Skills

Reinforce your child's ability to express him/herself using language. Infantile language and family euphemisms may be considered "cute" at home, but your child will need to be able to use understandable language in order to work and play well with classmates.

Reinforcing good manners, including "please," "thank you," and "excuse me" will foster good relationships with teachers and classmates.

If your child routinely whines or "fusses" to get his/her way, it is time to set higher expectations for communication. Your Kindergartener will need to use words to express his/her needs and to respond to questions, even when fatigued or frustrated.

Practice Academic Skills

Give your child every opportunity to practice writing his/her name, alphabet, and numbers to twenty. Allow your child to practice motor skills such as cutting and drawing basic shapes. Sing songs and play games that reinforce knowledge of basic body parts, address, and phone number. Sort out toys and select those that emphasize imaginative play and build in opportunities for learning.

Read stories aloud to promote the value and fun of reading. Children develop an awareness of language structure, vocabulary, and concepts through reading. Reading together builds a child's attention span.

Set the Stage for Success

Many schools offer a Kindergarten Open House prior to the beginning of the school year. This activity allows children to visit their classroom and meet their teacher. The child will be able to see his/her assigned desk or table and to explore areas of the classroom. Spending a few minutes at the Open House can allay many of the child's anxieties about finding their classroom, locating the bathroom, and the daily routine

Parents can talk about school in a positive way to build their child's enthusiasm for learning. Help your child look forward to this big event! Discuss the fun of learning and the excitement of making new friends!

Involve your child in back to school shopping rituals. Selecting school clothes and school supplies can be an exciting parent/child activity.

Be sure that your child's school registration is complete with emergency contact information, immunization records, and all necessary proof of residency for public school enrollment. Don't let these "basics" pose obstacles to getting your child off to a great start.

Parents play an important role in preparing their child for success in Kindergarten. Preparation for the routines of the school day is especially important as the beginning of the school year approaches!