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How can I help my child be ready for Kindergarten?
(Some information taken from Your Child Is Going to Kindergarten: Making the Move Together)
Congratulations, your child is going to Kindergarten!
Making the transition to Kindergarten is a big event for every child and family. You and your child may feel excited and proud about the next big step. You both may also experience some worry about the unknown and wonder how it will be at a new school.
Good news! You can start preparing for your child's move into Kindergarten early!
Consider the ideas below as you and your family get ready for this big change.
Summer
Summer
✪ Plan fun activities with your child. Spend time outside, visit the library and local museums, and take advantage of free events, like a farmer's market or summer festival.
✪ Dare County Libraries are a great resource for families in Dare County. If you are unable to visit, be sure to check out their online resources!
✪ Create and practice morning & evening routines that you will have during the school year.
✪ Read with your child, including books about going to kindergarten (see a list here).
✪ Encourage your child to speak with other children to learn what kindergarten is like.
✪ Gather kindergarten supplies. Be on the lookout for free school supplies in the community.
✪ Practice opening food packages at lunch (i.e. applesauce cups, ketchup packets, yogurts).
✪ Have your child spend time with other people over the summer, as you are able. Talk about the transition and how you will be back to pick them up soon, just like you will when they start school.
✪ Practice some of the activities in this fun Ready for K Bingo.
✪ Find out if the new school has an Open House at the end of summer to visit the classroom.
A Week Before School Starts
A Week Before School Starts
✪ Talk with your child about clothes and supplies for the first day of school.
✪ Ask if your child has any questions about the first day of kindergarten.
✪ Talk about the school routines (e.g., lunch time, recess, the bus ride, and others).
✪ Continue reading with your child, including books about going to kindergarten.
✪ Help your child learn the names of the teacher, principal, and other staff at school.
✪ Review the family schedule and routine.
✪ Who will take your child to school or bus stop?
✪ Who will pick up your child?
✪ What might your child have for lunch?
✪ Begin working toward a reasonable bedtime.
The Night Before Starting Kindergarten
The Night Before Starting Kindergarten
✪ Aim for an early bedtime.
✪ Talk with your child about the morning routine and what to expect.
✪ Pack a school bag or make lunch, if your child needs to bring lunch or snacks.
✪ Think of ways you can offer comfort to your child while you're apart. For example:
✪ Put a family photo in their school bag
✪ Leave a kiss on your child's hand to press on their cheek when they miss you
✪ Ask your child to draw a picture for you to share at the end of the day
First Week
First Week
✪ Talk with your child about the routines for bedtime, waking up, and getting ready for school in the morning, and what to expect.
✪ Get up in time to get ready and have breakfast unrushed—or be at the school for breakfast—each morning.
✪ Plan to arrive at the bus stop or school early. Do you see any of your child's friends from the preschool program? Point them out!
✪ Give lots of hugs to start the new day.
✪ The first days and weeks in a new classroom can be exhausting, so spend extra time relaxing together at home afterward.
✪ Check-in with your child about how they felt and what happened at school each day.
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