Getting your little one ready for kindergarten is a big deal. You’ll cry, and they’ll cry. But eventually, your child will transition and start enjoying all that kindergarten has to offer. There are several things you can do as a parent to encourage and speed up this transition, so the growing pains are minimal. Here is how you get them ready for kindergarten.
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Preschool
If you have the opportunity to send your child to preschool, even for a few hours a week, you should. This serves as a practice for kindergarten. In preschool, your child learns how to function in a group of peers and learns to say good-bye to you for a period of time. It doesn’t matter if your child plays all day at preschool or learns to read because the main benefit is kindergarten practice. Your child will learn the academics later.
It’s true that some preschools are astronomically expensive and therefore may be out of your price range. But there are ways around the financial burden. Consider whether your church has a playgroup or preschool. Ask if there are any preschool coops, or start a coop of your own where you and other moms take turns leading a small group of youngsters.
Playdates
Playdates can serve a couple of purposes. For one, they are a great way to build friendships with kids who may be in your child’s kindergarten class later. This is particularly relevant for children who live within the same school district. One-on-one play dates are less intimidating for small children, especially if the prone to being shy, and can offer them a ready-made friend when kindergarten does start. Also, playdates are another opportunity for you to practice saying good-bye to your child. The more your child says good-bye and is reassured by you coming back later, the easier it will be to say good-bye next time.
Meet the teacher
Many schools offer a kindergarten information day in the spring prior to kindergarten enrollment or a meet-the-teacher day just before kindergarten begins. This allows your child to meet their new teacher before the first day of school. Your child also gets to see their new classroom and classmates as well. This can take a lot of the stress and anxiety out of the situation. It’s normal for new kindergartners to have a fear of the unknown.
Also, parents are usually welcome at the meet the teacher event. You can tour the school and playground with your child. You can also learn the ins and outs of pick up and drop off at the school. That way, you won’t be nervous on the first day either.
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Volunteer
Get in touch with your child’s kindergarten teacher as soon as you can to learn about volunteer opportunities in the classroom. Typical options include chaperoning a field trip, helping with math time, helping with reading time, being a recess monitor, helping with a class party, or taking on small tasks for the teacher. It’s reassuring for your child to see you spend a bit of time in their classroom, and it gives you the chance to get to know the kids in the class.
Sending your child off to kindergarten only happens once, so make it the best moment possible.