How to Transition a Child from Preschool to Kindergarten
Kindergarten is the logical progression after finishing preschool, but your child may need a little help managing the transition from preschooler to grade school student. The move often means a new school, different classmates and higher expectations. Even if your child is developmentally ready for kindergarten, she may feel nervous if she doesn't know what to expect. Polishing up her skills and helping her understand what to expect eases the transition so she's ready when the first day of kindergarten arrives.
Instructions
Meet with your child's preschool teacher at the end of the year to discuss his readiness for kindergarten. Ask the teacher for suggestions on skills to practice over the summer that will help your child succeed in kindergarten. Give your child closure on preschool with a way to say goodbye. Ideas include making a preschool scrapbook, making a thank-you gift for the preschool teacher or having a preschool graduation party. Celebrate the positive aspects of preschool while showing excitement about all of the new adventures of kindergarten. Contact the school where she'll attend kindergarten to ask about the expectations for incoming kindergarteners. Ask about the style of instruction, skills covered at the beginning of kindergarten, and any additional services your child may need, such as ELL instruction or special education classes. Visit his new school. Take your preschooler with you so he can see the classrooms, playgrounds and the rest of the school. Check the school's calender for a kindergarten orientation or back-to-school event that offers more information for you and your child. Read children's books about going back to school or starting kindergarten. Books about the topic include "The Night Before Kindergarten" by Natasha Wing, "A Place Called Kindergarten" by Jessica Harper, "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten" by Joseph Slate and "Countdown to Kindergarten" by Alison McGhee. Practice what she'll experience when she goes to kindergarten. Go through the morning routine, including getting dressed and organizing her backpack. Role-playing gives your child a safe way to explore kindergarten and can help her deal with change, according to Anne Densmore, Ed.D., in a Harvard Health Publications article. Work on the skills he'll use in kindergarten. Practice number and letter recognition, counting and sorting objects. Encourage him to write, even if he only makes scribbles. Practice cutting with scissors. Talk to your child about kindergarten. Let her know how it will be different than preschool. Tell her that she may not have as much play time, and that she'll learn lots of new things, such as reading and math. Encourage your child to ask questions or talk about her fears related to moving from preschool to kindergarten. Approach the first day of kindergarten with a positive attitude. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends giving your child a reassuring goodbye so he knows you will return. NAEYC also suggests keeping the first few days calm so your child doesn't become upset. Keep those tears to yourself as he leaves for kindergarten and avoid arguments with him over things like eating breakfast or wearing certain outfits.
