Five Things a Prospective Kindergarten Parent Should Know

Kindergarten Readiness

• Before enrolling your child in kindergarten, determine whether or not your child is actually ready to begin school. Requirements may differ depending on your chosen school. Generally speaking, many schools prefer for incoming kindergarteners to know the alphabet and be able to recognize letters as well as their associated sounds. Being able to write and recognize their name is also encouraged. Children should be potty trained and able to communicate with others. Being able to count to 10 as well as recognize and write these numbers is also beneficial. Other signs of readiness include the recognition of shapes and colors as well as the ability to use safety scissors.

Get Involved

• Whether you̵7;ll be dropping your little one off at school or sending him off on the school bus, your job doesn̵7;t end when the bell rings. It is important to get involved in your child̵7;s education as much as possible. Meet with your child̵7;s teacher, attend parent-teacher conferences and volunteer in the classroom if you have time. This may be more difficult for working parents, but you can still find ways to be active in your child̵7;s education. Being involved in his education creates a link between the classroom and home, where learning is fostered and lessons taught in schools are reinforced.

Learning Happens at Home

• Children can learn as much at home as they do at school. Although your child receives the bulk of her academic education in the confines of her classroom, you can create a learning environment at home as well. Read to your child on a daily basis to help teach vocabulary and listening skills. Explore opportunities to expose your child to new experiences and adventures such as weekend trips to a museum or zoo. Let your child help prepare dinner and delegate chores that will help teach her responsibility and other important lessons.

Limit Screen Time

• Children are automatically drawn to screens, whether it is cartoons or video games. Instead of spending hours in front of a television or computer, encourage your child to play, whether indoors or out. Children learn so much through play, particularly developing and refining both fine and gross motor skills. After coming home from a long day sitting in a classroom, encourage your child to burn off the excess energy through play.

Build Routines

• Your child will become accustomed to certain routines in her classroom each day. Continuing routines at home will limit confusion. Specify a certain time each day for homework, playtime, dinner and bedtime. Getting your child involved in creating the daily schedule will help her feel important and perhaps less resistant to your requests. When your child knows what to expect both at home and at school, it lessens feelings of anxiety and confusion.