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Learn more about early childhood education 

5 Tips To Prepare for Kindergarten

7/13/2020

14 Comments

 

What can parents do to prepare for kindergarten and offer the best experience for your child?

That’s the big question.

Indeed, it’s soon time for a new milestone in your child’s life. And with that milestone, your family enters the “big kids” league and it can be challenging for the entire family. 

There are good reasons for it. Sometimes the curriculum becomes more challenging, the change in the environment can be destabilizing, and the days are more exhausting. 
Picture
Emotionally, kindergarten is a big step. 

To set your child on the right path, and help to smoothly transition and adjust to the new rhythm, there are a few things you can do. Here’s what to know. ​

Talk to Your Child

It sounds simple, right?

Yet, talk to your child and explain what is about to happen. 

Children are naturally inquisitive. Take advantage of that natural inclination to talk to them and answer any question they may have. 

Do not wait the day before, of course. Start conversations early.

Try to give them enough time, to discover, process, and ask their questions. Explain what kindergarten is, what it will be like, what they will learn, the new friends they will make, and what they will do.
How about driving to their future school building and show them how it looks like? 

Take the opportunity to show them where they will go, where they will play and learn, and let them share their feelings about the new change. 

Take the opportunity to introduce your child to their new director and teacher and have them discover the new classroom environment.

In other words, plan visits before the start, to make sure they feel comfortable. 
Get Them Involved

If you are about to buy some school items for kindergarten, it’s the perfect time to involve your child in the process. 

It’s fun to get new stuff. We all agree with that. 

So, why no giving them the opportunity to choose their backpack, favorite lunchbox, or clothes for their first day at school?

It will increase their confidence, self-esteem, and independence, and help them emotionally prepare for kindergarten.

Shopping together is fun and creates special memories.
Prepare for Kindergarten by Establishing Routines

The recent new normal literally had an impact on everyone including your child. 

With families staying at home, most of them struggled to keep their daily routines or got somewhat looser keeping schedules. And that’s okay. 

If flexibility in schedules has its place in a child’s development, to prepare for kindergarten, it is important to bring these routines back. 

Typically, consistency is an essential part of your child’s preparation and adaptation to the new environment and rhythm.

So, where to start and what to do?
  • Bedtime is essential - You’ve probably heard that a good night’s sleep helps re-energize the batteries. It actually does more than that for your kindergartener. It helps your child to improve attention, memory, and overall behavior. Every brain needs a night of good sleep, and your child needs these 10 to 11 hours to grow. So, try to have your child go to bed early at the same time every night. ​
  • Morning routines are important - Make sure to wake up at the same time in the morning and eat a good breakfast. If breakfasts used to be eaten at preschool, it is different in kindergarten. So breakfasts need to be planned and the morning schedule needs to be adjusted to avoid rushing your child.
  • Clarify the After-School plan - In general, explain what a typical day looks like. If after-school is required, give your child insights. Discuss where she/he will go once kindergarten is over. Take the opportunity to explain the plan and clarify with your child, who picks them up, where, and what to do if you are slightly late. The more information you share, the better.
  • The back-from-school plan - Plan in advance. From the first homework, chill-out time, dinners, and baths make them all part of your routine.​
  • Discussion routines - Remember that sharing is caring. Do not limit your interaction with your child to the frantic management of weekly schedules and activities. Take the opportunity to engage in conversations and enjoy the moment. Connect with your child, explore their feelings, and learn about them. There is no better way to prepare for kindergarten. ​

Prepare For Kindergarten Without Stress

The transition to kindergarten is a big change. The transition from play-based activities to more academic learning, longer days at school, a new environment with new people, as exciting as these changes can appear to be, can cause fear and anxiety. 

Do not underestimate their impact on your child.

All of that can be mitigated by providing children with a framework of routines and discussions. There is no other secret success recipe than preparation and implementation. 
If your child is about to start kindergarten this year, start engaging and communicating with them early enough as you reinforce routines. 

Routines offer a sense of security and stability in their environment. Do not expect children to react as adults. As a parent, you need to gain an understanding that the predictability of their environment help them thrive.

Have you already connected with your child’s future kindergarten teacher?
14 Comments
James link
9/21/2020 12:39:47 am

A study made on MX3 Capsule done in America and published in the Journal of Aging Resarch and Clinical Practice. It was concluded that MX3 Capsule helps improve mobility together with a good and healthy diet.

Reply
Heathrow Jr.Kindergarten link
10/15/2020 03:47:40 am

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel that I love to read more on this topic. Such a great and informative article.

Reply
Shaylee Packer link
12/7/2020 11:40:32 am

It was mentioned that it is important to set up a routine when preparing a child for kindergarten. In doing this, they can come to learn what to expect and not be surprised when it happens. My little guy is going to be in kindergarten next year, maybe it would be a good idea to start working on a routine now.

Reply
Rebecca Gardner link
12/15/2020 02:29:37 pm

Thanks for explaining how talking to our child about routines can help lessen the stress of transitioning to kindergarten. My sister just started doing some research about kindergarten enrollment since her daughter is getting to the right age to start going. I'll have to share these tips so she can take the steps now to start preparing her daughter for school!

Reply
Adam Golightly link
2/23/2021 06:33:45 pm

My brother is really worried because his first daughter is going to be 4 in a couple of months. He really wants to be prepared to send her to school by getting her a headstart on her education. Making sure that she can be taught by a professional could help her to learn at her own pace. Thanks for explaining how he should prepare with her, and set up a routine to reduce her anxiety when going to school.

Reply
Curtis Butler link
2/25/2021 11:05:30 am

It makes sense that allowing your child to get a sufficient amount of sleep can help them pay attention more effectively. My wife and I have been interested in finding a way to help our son prepare for kindergarten next year, but we're worried that the lack of routine in his life may cause him to stay up late to play video games on school nights. Maybe we should find an early education center that can help him develop good habits.

Reply
Larry Weaver link
3/24/2021 01:08:13 pm

Thanks for the tip to make sure your kid eats breakfast before going to kindergarten. My son will be going to kindergarten next school year. I'll look for a good kindergarten my son can go to, and I'll make sure that my son gets a good morning routine.

Reply
Chris Pederson link
4/9/2021 03:18:48 pm

Thanks for the tip to plan breakfast into my son's schedule. He isn't quite old enough for Kindergarten but I think I'll start feeding him breakfast now before he goes to preschool. That way, whatever preschool I find doesn't have to worry about him and he won't have a habit of eating there.

Reply
Tez link
8/3/2021 05:50:28 pm

You make a great point about clarifying the after-school plan for your kids. That way they don't get as nervous when you drop them off. I'll have to make sure my kids know that daycare isn't scary.

Reply
Tex Hooper link
3/8/2022 05:32:01 pm

I think you are right about clarifying your after-school plan. I need to get my kids into a pre-school. I want them to start reading early.

Reply
Mia Evans link
10/29/2022 12:03:59 am

Thanks for helping me understand that we need to plan well for the morning routines and breakfast for our child before attending preschool so that we will nor rush them. I guess doing that will ensure that the experience would be positive for our child. We are still looking for a school to send our son to, and it will be our first time as parents which is why I am doing my research to give the best experience to him.

Reply
Charlotte Fleet link
2/6/2023 07:34:13 pm

Thanks for the suggestion to involve your children in the clothing choice for their first day of kindergarten. I think it would also be smart to involve them in choosing the school. That way, you can find a kindergarten program that is best for their individual needs.

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
2/15/2023 12:39:22 pm

I love how you point out that kids are naturally inquisitive which can be a huge help when talking to them about school. My nephew is reaching the age of preschool and my sister-in-law wants o make sure he's prepared for the change in his schedule. We'll have to be sure to find a preschool that has a great staff that knows how to work with kids so we can be sure he's in the right place.

Reply
Steve Smith link
3/15/2023 11:30:56 pm

It's great that you elaborated that communicating with your child could help you implement the need for academic learning. My sister told me last night that she was planning to enroll my nephew in daycare education as he was engaging with academics. She asked if I had any idea what would be the best option. Thanks to this informative article, I'll tell her it will be much better if she consults a trusted daycare center as they can help figure out the best for my nephew.

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Willowdale Children's Academy is a child care agency located in Chester County, PA, specialized in early learning with schools in Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Avondale, and West Chester, PA. We offer programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, after school care, and summer camps.
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