Kindergarten Tips

There's more to getting your child ready for kindergarten than buying a new outfit or lunchbox. The Council for the Advancement of Public Schools offers these important tips to ensure he/she is prepared to enter school.

Make play a learning experience.

• Start learning early by practicing the Alphabet Song with your child, advises Child Care Aware.
• Teach your children to identify objects by playing the "Name That Thing" game.
• Incorporate counting exercises into your child's day.
• Read aloud to your child every day, recommends the U.S. Department of Education.

Develop your child's sense of self. 

• Confidence: Children will be more willing to attempt new tasks-and bounce back faster from failures if you help them feel good about themselves and believe they can succeed.
• Independence: Allow your child to begin doing things by him/herself such as dressing and putting toys away.
• Motivation: Children must want to learn. Show a positive attitude toward learning and school. Encourage your child's curiosity and desire to explore. Praise after a job well done instills pride in achievement.
• Persistence: Help children learn to complete tasks by emphasizing the importance of practice and patience. Repetition is part of this process.
• Cooperation: Children must be able to get along with others and learn to share and take turns.

Prepare yourself.

While readying your child for school, it's also important to make sure you are ready for this important next life phase. The Federal Citizen Information Center offers this advice.

• Ask yourself how you're feeling about this momentous occasion. If you're experiencing fear and anxiety, try not to communicate this uneasiness to your child.
• Attend school meetings and activities or set up brief meetings with the principal and teachers. Ask to sit in on classroom sessions to observe not only what your child is learning, but whether he/she seems to enjoy learning. Gradually you'll begin to feel better about entrusting your child to the care of others. If you believe school is going to be an exciting experience, your child will most likely feel the same way.
• Visit the school with your child ahead of time. Plan a relaxing day or two before school starts, and don't rush back from a family vacation or other stimulating experience.
• Don't be too concerned if, in spite of your best efforts, your child cries and refuses to leave your side the first day of school. Clinging and crying are healthy coping mechanisms in very young children, so try not to overreact. Most concerned teachers will allow you to stay in the classroom for awhile. Gradually lessen the amount of time you stay, but don't sneak out when you leave; it may make your child feel abandoned and unloved.