Preparing You and Your Child for the First Day of Kindergarten

As the new school year approaches so does the apprehension and exhilaration associated with the first day of kindergarten. As you look at your child you may still have fresh memories of holding that tiny baby and examining those perfect fingers and toes. Now those same toes are being put into shoes that will walk into the realm of elementary school. How can you and your child prepare for this exciting and exhilarating kindergarten experience? You can make the best of all these emotions and let this be a special time saved in you and your child's memory banks forever. What will seal this in your child's heart and mind as special? I believe that the following ideas will help you greatly.

A specially chosen lunch box can be a preparatory tool in the hands of a parent. Give your small child a few choices of what they would like to eat on the first day of school. Use this time to talk to them about how much fun it will be to open their lunch box and take a bite of their sandwich or snack while sitting with new friends. Helping them visualize new friends, fun and the great taste of their lunch will bring them peace about what to expect. Your child will begin to taste anticipation and it will put apprehension and fear to rest.

A backpack. The backpack that your child chooses should be a representation of his or her interests and personality. Your little princess may pick out out a pink or purple backpack covered in sequins. The little man in your life may pick a backpack that tells the tale of a movie that you took him to see over the summer or it may display his favorite super hero. Take the time with your child to fill the backpack with school supplies. Use it to tell positive stories of your best friends in kindergarten and why you liked them. Their backpack will spark memories in the midst of all the new sounds and experiences that will bring security during the first days of school. All these details will bring peace in the midst of this turbulent and exciting time.

The little things. Small things in life are often the very things that stand out in our memory later. The little details are appreciated and enjoyed. Use these last days to bring your child home a new pencil. As your child holds the pencil, tell them why you are proud of them and how special they are. When they hold that pencil the memory of your encouraging words and the feelings associated with your words will be there with them.

To love a child is to love a gift. Have a great kindergarten experience.