If you have kids at home, you probably already know how hard it is to get them ready for school. You try your best to give them a great education and teach them everything they need to know while they’re still young so they can succeed when they get older. But sometimes, it’s not easy to get your little ones excited about going to school. This article will show you how to get your child excited about kindergarten.
Talk About Kindergarten/Create a Routine
Talking about Kindergarten is easy. Just make sure that whenever you talk about it with your child, it’s in a positive light. You want them to get excited for Kindergarten, not dreading it. If you hear your child talking about being nervous about kindergarten, reassure them that everything will be fine and that their teacher will help them with whatever they need. You can also provide your kids with kindergarten social-ready kits.
If your child is used to remaining at home, he or she is unlikely to have a set schedule, or if they do, it is likely to be limited. When kids start kindergarten, this will be one of the most significant adjustments they will endure. When they arrive at school, they may expect to be able to do anything they want whenever they want. To assist them in preparing, first, sit them down and discuss the upcoming changes. You might also start a new routine with them to help them get ready for school.
Allow your youngster to assist you in creating a timetable, which you can then post on the refrigerator or the wall. Because they won’t be able to read it yet, use pictures or colors in addition to words to help them understand how the day is divided. Set alarms to help you transition from one task to the next, and give your child a 10-minute warning to be ready for their next activity. Don’t forget to take a brief nap at least once a day.
Go on a Tour of the School/Be Independent
The first step to getting your child excited about going to school is visiting their classroom before they actually start. This will help children familiarize themselves with their surroundings and meet some of the staff members that will be around them when school starts.
A tour will help assuage any anxieties your child might have about going to school for the first time. It will also let them know what kind of activities they’ll be doing throughout the day and who will be teaching them. This will give your child a sense of control over their learning experience, which is important for their development.
Your child has most likely relied on you to accomplish things for them up to this point. Teachers will be grateful that you instilled independence in your youngster. Have your youngster choose an outfit for the next day and place it in a designated space before night. You may also assist them in preparing a school meal. Make sure they clean up their mess before going from one activity to the next. When the 10-minute warning goes off, it’s a good idea for your child to start cleaning up.
Volunteer at Your Child’s School
If you want to help your child and get them excited for kindergarten, then volunteering is a great way to do this. Volunteering allows you to help out the teachers and also interact with your child as well. You can volunteer to help with a field trip or perhaps by helping out in the classroom. This will give your child the opportunity to see you in a different environment and see that learning can be fun.
Invite New Classmates Over for Play Dates
If your child is nervous about starting kindergarten, having a play date with the teacher and classmates can be very helpful. It will give your child an opportunity to meet their teacher in a fun and relaxed environment. They will also get to know their new classmates, and you can talk to the other parents as well to get more information on school policies and activities.
Introduce New Activities
Switch up your activities periodically to keep learning exciting for your kids. While your child may be interested in one thing for several months, they may subsequently become more interested in something completely different.
More than merely assisting your child with emotional adjustment is part of kindergarten preparation. Giving your child a head start on learning the letters and numbers can benefit both them and their instructor. Purchase a set of flashcards and work with your child to teach him or her to recognize each letter and number. After that, show them how to write. Tracing books can be found in the school area of most local supermarkets for a reasonable price. Practice tracing your child’s letters and numbers before teaching them to write their name.
Your youngster may already know their colors at this age. If they don’t, now is an excellent moment to teach them. Educational shows like Sesame Street and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse are great for bringing learning and enjoyment together. Art and coloring time can also be utilized to teach colors in a fun way.
At the end of the day, the first year of school can be a bit nerve-wracking for both you and your child. If you take some time to prepare them in advance and approach it with a positive attitude, however, a successful transition to kindergarten is entirely possible.
