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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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Getting Ready for Kindergarten |
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Going to kindergarten is an important event for both child and parents. Anyone who has been through the experience has visions of those moments of saying good-bye that they will never forget. But how can you prepare your child for those first days in kindergarten? Certainly you have been preparing your child right along as each developmental task from babyhood was mastered. The love you showed, the secure home you provided, the opportunities you have given him to become more and more independent, the chances you gave her to explore, to ask questions, and to be creative--these are steps you have taken to prepare your child for kindergarten. To meet with success in entering school, each child has to learn to get along with other children and with adults other than parents. Handling feelings of anxiety may be difficult especially for a child who has not attended an early childhood experience away from home. Taking direction from a teacher, principal, nurse or other adult may not be easy for the beginning kindergartner. Here are some specific suggestions for parents: Discuss going to school as a normal expected event. Make no promises, but talk together about school. Read some good books about school; ask the children's librarian in your local library for suggestions. Help your child understand about time at school. Many children are crushed to find they can't read the very first day! They need assurance that all teachers and children are different and that there is no magic time for learning certain skills. Answer questions your child has about the school routine. Visit the school or attend an orientation with your child to familiarize the child with the new environment. Help
your child gain confidence about getting to and from school. If the
child rides a bus, perhaps you could take a ride over the route with
your child, or an older "buddy" could go with him the first
few times. If your child will be walking, go with her over the route
and point out traffic signs and crossing guards along the way. Independence blossoms in the kindergarten year! A child who must share an adult with many children needs patience and a few self-help skills. Practice tying sneakers and shoes. Put a dot on the inside edge of each so when matched together, they're on the right foot! Make sure clothes are easy to get on without help. Label everything clearly with an identifying symbol to help your child recognize his things and so that lost items can be returned. Help your youngster learn his whole name, address and telephone number and talk about what to do if you get home late one day. Give him a chance to make some decisions about what to wear or whether to buy or take his lunch. Schedules may change when school starts. Get a head start by adjusting bedtime and mealtime if this will be necessary. If you have a new job requiring additional child care for your child, start that routine a couple of weeks early to allow time for adapting to the change, so school and child care adjustments don't both begin at once. Give children an opportunity to discuss how they feel about their school day. Let them know it is okay to have unhappy feelings. Tell them that you sometimes have bad days too. Find ways to give your child extra attention those first days of school. It is our opportunity as parents to help children master their doubts and fears about kindergarten so they feel good about themselves and they are ready to tackle other new situations. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
