Preparing a Child for Kindergarten

Most any parent who has experienced sending their child off to kindergarten in the fall has had the thought of kindergarten readiness and what it means.

Getting a child ready for kindergarten is not only emotionally difficult but also mentally difficult for both parents and children. Children are expected to know quite a bit more information nowadays, even 10 years ago the educational system did not expect as much out of a kindergartner as it does today.

Preparing for kindergarten is essential and putting in the time to get your child ready for kindergarten will pay off in the long run as a kindergartner who is prepared for school will be more successful and happier throughout their school days and years.

From my experience as a kindergarten teacher, there were always the frequently asked questions from parents as to how they could prepare their kindergartner for their first official year of school. Here you will find 5 of my kindergarten readiness tips that I offered to parents each year, some kindergarten readiness tips may be more beneficial than others depending on each individual child.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip #1: Kindergarten Requirements

Find out what the district, school or teacher asks of kindergartners; the district I worked for had a basic list of what kindergartners should know coming into their first year of school. We the kindergarten teachers came up with our own specific list of what we would like an average kindergartner to know upon arriving in kindergarten. Also asking for a copy of the kindergarten report card before the start of kindergarten is a great way to keep a kind of checklist of what your child will be working on during the school year.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip #2: Know Personal Information

Teaching your kindergartner how to write their first name and possibly their last name is so beneficial. If a kindergartner seems ready to be able and ready to learn their address and phone number, the information is a bonus. Not only is it great academically but also beneficial if the child were to get lost and would need to share their information to get back home.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip #3: Know Letters and Numbers

Knowing the names of each letter and how to write the letters will give your kindergartner a boost in the right direction, identifying letters and writing letters is the beginning stages of reading and writing. Knowing numbers to at least 10 and even higher would be excellent.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip #4: Sharing Is Caring

A kindergartner who has had some practice sharing with other children is more prepared to deal with the large group and small group activities that are frequently happening in the kindergarten classroom. Knowing the correct way to share makes the classroom a happier place thus making the kids and teacher happy too.

Kindergarten Readiness Tip #5: Get Lots of Sleep

Getting a kindergartner to go to bed at a reasonable and consistent time each night may take some practice and a good time to start practicing bedtime is the summer before kindergarten. Many of the children that I taught in kindergarten did not get enough sleep and some would even fall asleep in class. It is difficult enough for a kindergartner to experience a full day of class much less with not enough sleep. Lots and lots of sleep are really important for everyone but especially for a kindergarten age student.

Preparing for kindergarten is an exciting time because it is a big step in a child's and parent's life, so make the most out of the experience and know that kindergarten readiness is the beginning stages of molding your little one into the awesome adult they will become in the future!