Preparing for Kindergarten

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This post was originally written about eight years ago, and now I’m updating it after my youngest just graduated from kindergarten this year.

Is your little one starting Kindergarten this year? Are you more nervous then them?

I’m here to help calm your nerves; your child will most likely love Kindergarten, and so will you. I’m giving you a few tips to help ease your nerves, and prepare yourselves.

Suggested Read: 17 Things To Do Before School Starts

Prepare Yourself & Your Little One For Kindergarten

 

Don’t Rush It

I’m assuming you’ve already considered this one. If not, I’ll start with this one. If your child has a summer or near summer birthday, and your needing to make the decision if your child will be one of the youngest or oldest. Consider everything. Kindergarten isn’t like it used to be 15+ years ago. All kids are different, so you as the parent get to make the call.

My daughter has a summer birthday, and we decided to enroll her at 6 years old. I’m so glad we decided to wait, she was much more ready to develop. Academically, emotionally, mentally, and physically. In her class there was a couple other summer birthdays, and to my surprise they all started at 6.

Academics

This is probably the #1 stress for parents. Don’t stress if your child can’t write her name well, doesn’t know how to spell any words yet, can’t count to 50. A lot of kids can’t at the beginning, that’s what kindergarten is for, and the teacher will let you know if they need any extra help in a subject.

A few things you can do to help prepare them; practice colors(red-apple, blue-water, green-leaves), practice counting(at the grocery store count the apples you put into the bag), practice shapes, and practice the alphabet.

Social Skills

In my opinion this is the #1 thing you can do to prepare them. Keep in mind the pandemic put a lot of kids behind on learning social skills. Get them out playing with other kids, practice waiting turns, practice lining up, practice doing structured activities. Visiting the library’s story time is great practice.

Sleep

Unless your child still takes a nap before 2pm, you will be amazed how much energy they still have after a 6 hour school day. They may be tired at the beginning, but their bodies will adjust.

Start a night, and morning routine before the first day of school. Their bodies need enough sleep, and they’ll need to eat breakfast early, if they’re not early risers.

Lunch Time

When packing their lunch box, remember to pack easy to open stuff, that your child can open themselves. The lunch helpers will be there to help, but it may take a while for them to get to your child.

Also, from our experience they have a snack after lunch time to hold them off for the day.

Check out this list for school lunches and snacks suggestions we have.

Help Pick Out Supplies

If possible, let them help pick out their school supplies(lunch box, backpack, ect)! It’ll help them get excited, feel confident, and form independence.

Play at the Playground

Did you know most school playgrounds are open during none school hours? Go play on the schools playground a couple times during the summer, and especially before school starts. They’ll get more excited, get more comfortable with the school grounds, and maybe they’ll meet a class/schoolmate.

Transportation

Don’t forget to figure out transportation before the first day. If they are riding the bus, make sure the school, transportation, and your child are aware. Each school will be different, but from our experience, the kindergarteners have assigned seats near driver, and when it’s drop off time they were the first ones on the bus. They also wore a bus tag to make it easier to find, and to make sure they are on the correct bus. The staff is very helpful in assisting the kids.

Night Before First Day

I’m sure there will be a lot of emotions. Try to get a good night sleep, and prep as much as you can. Set out clothes, shoes, backpack before going to bed. Get lunch packed the night before, get your kid involved in packing it.

Mantra

Repeat to your child “the teachers, bus drivers, staff really like kids, that’s why they work at the school and are there to help so don’t be afraid to talk to them”.

 

HELPFUL BACK TO SCHOOL POSTS & RECIPES:

• Educational Subscription Boxes for Kids & Teens
• 5 Ways to Save Money this School Year
• 17 Things To Do Before School Starts
• Basic White Bread
• Zucchini, apple, carrot muffins
• Healthy Granola Bars
• 100 Family Friendly Veggie Recipes

 

Hope that helps you! Just remember, they’ll be okay and enjoy it! They might even tell you that you can leave, and don’t need to walk them into class. Like my son did ;(

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