Tips for Kindergarten Parents

 

Getting Ready for School:

 

Establish routines. You may want to introduce an earlier bedtime before school starts.

 

Practice the morning routine of getting dressed and eating breakfast.

 

Review several times with your child how they will get to and from school.

 

Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast and a nutritious lunch.

 

Teach your child:

-To recite full name, address, and phone number.

-To be responsible and recognize their own personal belongings. You can help by labeling ALL their belongings (backpacks, jackets, etc.).

-To attend to their own personal needs: toileting, using a tissue, washing face and hands, tying shoes.

 

Choose clothing for your kindergartener that is easy for them to dress themselves. Pants with elastic waistbands and snaps are the easiest. Tight clothing and buttons can be difficult.

 

To make sure your child plays safely during recess and P.E., make sure they wear sneakers each day.

 

Read to your child every day. Reading increases vocabulary. Read anything and everything from books to cereal boxes!

 

Make sure your child has time to play after school and on the weekends. Now that your child spends more time in a structured school environment, you should allow more free time at home for play.

 

Help your child develop strategies to resolve peer conflicts and to know when to ask an adult for help.

 

Promote the attitude of respect for rights and properties of others.

 

Together parents and teachers make a team. The year is about cooperation and trust. If something may be affecting your child, let the teacher know. If you have concerns, share them.

 

Support the Learning Process:

 

Be calm and positive when you speak about school in your child’s presence.

 

Encourage your child to share school experiences with you. Take an active interest in your child’s schooling. Ask specific questions about what happens at school each day and how your children feel about it. Check your child’s folder daily. Listen and/or help them read any books that are sent home.

 

Get involved with the PTO and volunteer in the classroom.

 

Treat going to school as part of the normal course of events that will be a positive experience for your child. A calm, matter-of-fact, positive attitude will help your child get the most out of Kindergarten.