How to prepare your child for Kindergarten

This article will guide parents how to prepare their child for Kindergarten.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flexibility
• Willing to adjust to a new routine.
• Patience
• compassion

1. The first thing a parent should do to prepare their child for Kindergarten is enroll them in a preschool program 1 to 2 years before Kindergarten. There are private programs and free programs as well. Check listings in your community. Most school districts offer preschool programs.

2. As your child is in preschool they will learn how to follow directions, sit in circle time and how to work and play well with other children. With this as a practice, Kindergarten will come easier than for those who are not enrolled in a program.

3. Have your child develop good habits at home. Give your child minor chores, limit television time to 8 hours a week etc., this opens up times to communicate with your child. Teach them to use their words and how to share. Teach them to make eye contact with whomever they are speaking to.

4. Establish routine bed times. Young children require 10-12 hours a sleep a night. Being consistent with your child is key.

5. Before their school year starts, you and your child take a field trip to the school they will be attending. Visit the teachers and the classrooms so that they get familiar with the environment. This way it will not come as a shock to them later.

6. In the summer months, take trips to visit the schools playground and let your child become familiar with the equipment. They will develop more strength in their gross motor skills.

7. Become familiar with bus schedules. If you are not comfortable with your child riding the bus, take your child to school or have a friend or family member transport your child to school. Establish where they will be dropped off and picked up safely everyday. Never leave them unattended.

8. On the first morning of school, be sure your child eats a healthy breakfast. If the program is all day, have your child make their lunch with you so they can see how this is performed.

9. Be sure your child has a back pack with everything that is needed for school. Pack a picture of your family so that when your child feels lonely or misses you they will have the opportunity to look at these photos.

10. Try to be involved as much as you can with your parents school. Communication with your child's teacher and principal is very important in ensuring a successful learning experience.

Tips & Warnings

• The first few weeks of school will be an adjustment for both you and your child.
• Moms and dads, probably mainly the moms, be prepared to be emotional on your child's first day of Kindergarten, especially if this is your first born. You and your child were used to spending a lot of time together at home, they are your baby. It's going to be an adjustment period.