Getting Your Kids Ready for Kindergarten
There are few moments more exciting to kids than the first day of kindergarten. It represents the day when children officially become “big kids.” It may be several weeks before school starts, but preparing them now can save anxiety when the time comes. How do you prepare them for that day and all the things they’re supposed to learn in kindergarten? Here’s what the experts say:
Teach Independence
Kids are expected to be able to do many things on their own by the time they start kindergarten. Tracy Galuski, a professor of early childhood development and education, says that kids should be able to dress themselves, including how to put on their shoes, take their coats on and off and hang them up on a hanger, use the bathroom on their own and wash their hands afterwards without reminders, unpack their lunch, and wipe their faces after they’ve eaten. These skills, Professor Galuski says, will take your kids “from the coatroom to the lunchroom and beyond.” It’s a good idea to spend the summer before kindergarten practicing those skills with them.
Assign Chores
A way to make your kids more independent and autonomous is to assign them household chores. Charity Ferreira of GreatSchools, an education think tank, says that parents should give their kids chores like setting the table before dinner, folding the laundry and tidying up around the house. “These types of activities,” Ms. Ferreira says, “will automatically transfer over into the classroom and help your child feel successful and comfortable.”
Build Self-Confidence
It’s one thing to have certain skills; it’s quite another to have the confidence to show those skills in front of classmates. Dr. Amie Bettencourt, a child psychologist, says that parents can make their kids more self-confident by demystifying kindergarten and explaining what they can expect will take place there. She suggests that parents spend time before kindergarten starts talking to their kids about what the school day will be like.
Organize Playdates
You can make your kids more self-confident by organizing lots of playdates over the summer. Many schools distribute class contact lists for students before the school year starts. If you receive such a list, set up playdates with some of your kids’ future classmates. That way, when your kids walk into class on the first day of school, they’ll see some familiar faces.
“A lot of what makes kindergarten a tough transition,” Ms. Ferreira says, “is that kids suddenly find themselves in a big group all day long. The more social skills kids have, the easier it’ll be for them to concentrate on learning.”
Create Routine
In kindergarten, kids are expected to be able to follow the school routine. Prepare them for that by creating a home routine that you clearly explain.
As Ms. Ferreira says, “following a consistent routine – and pointing out parts of the routine to your child – helps your child know what to expect and when. This will help your child transition to the school routine.” She suggests that parents create a fixed schedule for when to wake the kids up in the morning and put them to bed at night.
Dr. Bettencourt adds that the nightly routine should include a predictable order of activities: “Take a bath, put on pajamas, brush teeth, read favorite story or sing favorite song, and get a goodnight hug or kiss.”
Acknowledge Feelings
While you prepare your kids for all the exciting new things they’ll learn in kindergarten, also acknowledge any unease they may experience. Melanie Dale, the author of several books on parenting, says that parents should let their kids express their feelings: “If they say they’re nervous, rather than say, ‘Don’t be nervous,’ ask them why they’re nervous and validate that feeling. Share a time when you were nervous and how it worked out.”
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
