Feeling a little anxious about sending your child to a large school is common.
As a parent, you aim to ensure that your child is fully ready to adjust to a classroom setting, form new friendships, and effectively express their needs to their teacher when necessary.
However, parents often find themselves surprised by the level of skills and knowledge their child is required to have before entering kindergarten.
Studies indicate that children who are adequately prepared for their initial year of school are likelier to adapt and thrive, providing them with a valuable advantage for the following years.
The school of your child must give you a list of the knowledge they should have. Here are the ten things they need to know to feel prepared and confident for their upcoming big adventure.
1: Asking Questions Whenever Needed
Allow your children to communicate their worries. I thought my son, being extroverted, would find it easy to make new friends. Upon inquiring about his fear of starting at a different school, I discovered that his primary worry wasn’t about creating new friendships, but about potentially losing the ones he already had. I reassured him that we would keep in touch with his preschool friends by organizing play dates.
Note: This is important when they’re riding the Canberra Taxis as well. Before they enter the car, they should always be clear about where they want to go and take someone with them. This way, they will feel safer and learn more about how to travel by a passenger vehicle.
2: Consider Schooling as an Adventure
Having an optimistic mindset can enable your children to approach the coming opportunities. Cam Ellis, a senior administrator for transition to kindergarten and family engagement for the Office of Early Learning of Wake County in North Carolina, recommended discussing exciting things, expressing uncertainties, and establishing daily goals to feel accomplished.
This might involve memorizing someone’s name, attempting a new game, or mustering courage to leave and enter the classroom.
3: Share Whatever They’re Feeling with Their Teacher
Teachers aim to collaborate with you to enhance support for your students.
Effective communication is essential. Sharing your child’s interests, challenges, preferred way of celebration, and family members at home can result in a deeper connection.
Ellis mentioned that if a child is changing schools due to a massive change at home, the teacher should be informed about it in advance. “They can offer better emotional support when they are aware of the entire situation,” according to Ellis.
4: Practice Everything Ahead of Time
Discover methods to rehearse what your kid will engage in throughout the upcoming academic year. Pass by the school. Visit the playground while you’re out.
Arrange to have a couple of playdates with kids you know.”
That can truly make a big difference,” Reaume commented.
If your child struggles with separation anxiety and is resistant to leaving you, it can be helpful to practice spending time apart by arranging play dates or exploring new activities such as music classes or sports. Every fresh encounter enhances self-assurance and self-reliance.
5: Dressing Themselves
When the bell rings and a class full of excited children are ready to go out for recess or go home, your child should not have to wait for the teacher to tie their shoes or zip their jacket.
Children must be able to dress themselves in their own shoes, jacket, snow gear, and any other clothing they wear to school without help. If zippers, buttons, and buckles are challenging, choose clothing and footwear with Velcro closures and trousers with elastic waistbands.
6: Remember Their Address and House’s Phone Number
If there is confusion about who’s supposed to collect your child from school, or if your child gets lost during a field trip, ensure they have memorized your address and phone number to contact you and safely make their way back.
Also, make sure to inform them that it is acceptable to seek assistance from strangers when lost, even if your child is aware of their address, they may not know how to navigate there without adult guidance. Otherwise, they might fall into huge trouble.
7: Keep Their Medications and Allergies in Mind
Your child will engage with many children who do not know about the dangers of sharing food. Ensure your child knows which foods to avoid and how to use an EpiPen for their allergy.
If your child requires medication for any reason, make sure to give them instructions on how to properly use it. Individuals with asthma must know how to properly use their inhaler.
And if they are required to take medication daily, they should be informed about the timing and whether it should be taken with food.
8: Learning Reading
Stories featuring characters that your kid can connect with, particularly those who are beginning their first day of kindergarten, can be helpful in easing any nervousness and boosting confidence as needed. You can also look at these reassuring books on the initial day of school.
You’ll definitely come across a book that you can read out loud that will give you opportunities to stop and inquire about your child’s thoughts or emotions regarding the upcoming year.
9: Include a Note with Their Lunch (for Parents)
O’Connor, a 3rd grade teacher, recommends this unique gesture to show your child that you are keeping them in your thoughts. She says that parents sometimes sketch their child’s favorite book characters or a joke from their favorite funny book to make them smile.
Consider incorporating this into your daily routine to assist with transitioning from summer to semester. However, make sure to follow O’Connor’s suggestion: “Utilize a sharpie to prevent the ice-pack from smearing your words.”
10: Go for Shopping (for Parents)
Labeling things as “back to school,” such as clothing or bags, turns getting ready for the new school year into a tradition and can generate enthusiasm.
You and your child can also choose new books now, and they don’t have to be related to school. Renewing their collection of books at the beginning of every school year can become a yearly custom aimed at beginning afresh and resetting your child’s outlook.
O’Connor says your child could write what they’re most looking forward to in the new grade inside the cover.
By the conclusion of the year, they have the opportunity to include a few ever-beloved memories from their grade level. And now you possess a keepsake as well.