The transition to kindergarten is exciting! For kids, it’s an opportunity to learn new things, master new skills, and build new relationships. But this transition can also be a time of uncertainty about the unknown, as routines, environments, and people change. Here are some things you can do to prepare.
Before school starts
- Visit the school and meet the teachers; help your kids find their classroom, where they will sit, where the bathroom is, and walk around the playground
- Start your school day bedtime and wake up routine early to give your kids time to adjust
- Read books together about starting school and talk about the characters’ experiences
- Tell your kids how excited you are for them to start school, and listen to any thoughts or concerns they may have
On the first day of school
- Be positive! Let your kids know you’re proud of them for starting something new
- Smile, hug, and say goodbye in a way that reassures your child you will see them later
During the first week of school
- Know that the adjustment to school may take some time and support your kids by talking about it; ask questions about why they think school is fun and what they think is challenging
- Instill self-confidence by celebrating your kids’ successes, like how they tried to print their name or that they sat quietly through story time
Throughout the year
- Talk with your kids’ teacher regularly to find out how they’re doing, academically and behaviorally, and attend any parent-teacher meetings you can
- Enjoy having a kindergartener! This is a big milestone for the whole family