Kindergarten Tips and Tricks

Starting kindergarten can encompass a wide range of emotions from pure joy to utter dread. It can be quite stressful for all involved. Trust me, the children usually adjust much better and faster than the parents! In order for us all to be closer to the joyful end of things there's a few things you can do to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your child. You are your child's first teacher after all and have been for the last four or five years!

As a parent wanting to ease the transition you may want to:

• Encourage your child to exercise independence.

• Allow your child to dress himself or herself.

• Let your child get used to putting on outerwear alone.

• Help your child tend to his or her own toileting needs.

• Reinforce hand washing after using the bathroom.

• Remind your child to cover his or her mouth (with the inside of their elbow) while sneezing or coughing.

• Establish a reasonable bedtime routine to ensure adequate sleep. (Children that are 3-7 years old require 10-12 hours of sleep.)

• Encourage a good breakfast. If your child does not have time for breakfast at home they may eat at school.

• Dress your child in clothes that are comfortable and easy for them to manage on their own. This eliminates bathroom accidents as many will try to wait until the last moment to go.

• Encourage your child to pick up and tidy their own belongings.

• Establish good manners for listening to others and cooperation in your child.

• Let your child use paper, crayons, pencils, paints, paste or glue sticks, and even scissors (with proper supervision) often.

• Show your child you respect education. Speak of school in a positive light.

• Give your child simple tasks to be carried out and check to see that they have been done. Give them accountability!

• Love them enough to let them grow.

• Celebrate the small accomplishments.