From Preschool to Kindergarten
Tips to Reduce the Impact of School Transition
When children prepare to leave preschool and enter kindergarten, it can be overwhelming. This article offers tips to help parents reduce the impact of school transition.
Adjusting to new environments, teachers, routines, and peers can be overwhelming for children that are making the move from preschool to kindergarten. But there are things that parents can do to help reduce the impact of their child's transition to school.
Get Your Child Excited During the Weeks Leading Up to Kindergarten
- Talk to your children about the positive changes that will occur when they go to kindergarten. Tell them about all of the new experiences and activities that “big kids” get to participate in while they are in school.
- Let her assist when purchasing school clothes and supplies. After bringing the items home, let your child touch them and talk about all of the wonderful things that she will be able to make with her new crayons, glue, scissors, etc.
- If there are older siblings in the household, encourage them to share some of the positive experiences that they had during their kindergarten year.
- Call the school and make arrangements to let your child meet the new teacher, tour the kindergarten classroom, playground, and cafeteria. This allows her to become familiar with the surroundings, where to store her belongings, etc. Some schools have designated dates set aside for parents, teachers and students to meet and interact before the start of the school year.
- If possible, find out if any of your child’s preschool classmates will be attending the same school during their kindergarten year. If so, let your child know that some of her friends will be sharing her new classroom.
Helping Your Child Survive the First Day of Kindergarten
The big day has arrived and you’re probably more nervous than your child. It’s okay – take a deep breath and relax. It’s time to figure out how to ease your child’s first day jitters.
- Let your child decide what she wants to wear to school. Don’t overwhelm her with a million choices, pick out three outfits and let her choose from those.
- Let your excitement show. Reiterate how proud everyone is that she is growing up and starting kindergarten.
- Make sure that your child has a hearty breakfast. She needs to be well nourished for her big day.
- After entering the classroom, help your child put her belongings away and reassure her that you will be back to pick her up when school is over.
- Find the teacher that your child met in earlier weeks, take her over and reacquaint them. After giving your child a great big hug, release her to the teacher.
- Avoid lingering around the classroom. Your child will already have butterflies in her stomach, and you will only fuel her anxiety by hovering.
Teachers welcome classrooms full of nervous little children every school year. Trust that they are trained and prepared to help make your child’s transition to kindergarten as smooth as possible.
References:
Child Care Aware. The Kindergarten Connection volume 6. Accessed 3-18-08
The copyright of the article From Preschool to Kindergarten in School Readiness is owned by Charlina Stewart. Permission to republish From Preschool to Kindergarten must be granted by the author in writing.
