How to Prepare Preschooler for Kindergarten

It is an age old question pondered by many parents, “where does the time go?” One day you are giving birth, and the next you are sending them off for their first day of school. The good thing is as parents we get the privilege of nurturing and preparing our children for that milestone moment. Typically, the year prior to attending school should be spent preparing the preschooler for kindergarten.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Make sure to research relevant information about the specific school and school district. This can be done by searching for the specific school and district website and searching other educational based directories that collect information on nationwide schools. Also, attend a few parent/teacher organization meetings and school board meetings to see what is going on within that specific school and talk to other parents that have children in the school. It is also good to learn the following bits of information with respect to the school: the principle's name, teacher to student ratio, names of kindergarten teachers at the school, immunization requirements, transportation information, lunch program and description of kindergarten program.
2. Find out when kindergarten registration is. It is also important to make sure that the registration deadline is met, because some schools may have a limited amount of openings available. A majority of schools will offer an orientation for incoming kindergarteners and their parents during the spring prior to beginning. Also, make sure to obtain the proper forms needed for registration.
3. Ask the school about academic expectations for incoming kindergarteners. Parents should contact the school early in the year prior to the child starting kindergarten. This will afford the parent time to help the child acquire the skills and knowledge they will need to have by the time they are to start kindergarten. Also, finding out what academic expectations are in place at the school can help the parent decide whether or not the school fits their own personal expectations.
4. Schedule a trip to the school with the preschooler. Having the preschooler become oriented, familiar and comfortable with their future learning environment can make for a smooth transition. It will allow them to see the environment as a positive place to be and lessen the apprehension that often comes with starting kindergarten.
5. Talk to the preschooler about going to kindergarten. This will give the parent the chance to address any fears the child might have and help them become excited about going to school. Talk to the preschooler about the teachers they will have, the classes they will have and how teachers are there to help them learn. Get them excited about the classes they will have like reading, math, science, music and art.
6. Prepare the child for the separation. This is often the hardest part of sending a child off for their first day of kindergarten. Help them understand that they will come home after school is over.
7. Find out what school supplies will be needed. Once the supply list is established, have the preschool help pick out the supplies they will need. Incorporating them into the choosing and planning will help to create an excitement.

Tips & Warnings

• Most schools have academic guidelines they would like a preschooler to be prepared with prior to starting kindergarten. The following are common academic skills and knowledge a preschooler should acquire prior to starting kindergarten: properly hold a pencil, write name in upper and lower case letters, count to at least 10 and count objects to 10, knowledge of common colors, knowledge of common shapes, recite the ABC’s and identify at least the letters that make up their name, verbally state their whole name, verbally state their address and phone number, verbally state names of their parents and put things into logical sequenced order. Also, the preschooler should know how to dress and undress, zip zippers and tie laces.
• Preschoolers, before the start of kindergarten, should know how to positively interact with other children, know how to follow rules, express ideas and calm themselves down during moments of frustration.
• Find out about volunteer opportunities that might be available for parents. It is a good way to give the child a positive outlook on going to school, by showing them the enthusiasm you have for being involved in their school.
• Parents are in the position to identify possible learning disabilities the child may be displaying before they begin kindergarten. When a learning disability is suspected, contact the school and inquire about early screenings for learning disabilities. This will allow early intervention to be established and help afford a better opportunity for learning. Also, it will allow the parent to determine whether or not the school has adequate programs for children with learning disabilities.