Kindergarten

Practical independence skills parents can practice.

Some of the most helpful ways to prepare your child for kindergarten have nothing to do with reading or math! Building a little independence before school starts can help children feel more confident during their day.

Here are a few things you can practice together at home:

• Opening and closing their lunchbox, snack containers and water bottle

• Putting on and taking off their coat

• Using the bathroom and washing their hands independently

• Carrying and keeping track of their own belongings

• Cleaning up after an activity

• Asking an adult for help when they need it

• Taking turns and waiting for a turn

• Following a two-step direction

• Handling not always being first or winning

• Practicing a predictable bedtime and morning routine

Your child certainly doesn't need to have all of these things mastered before the first day! Kindergarten is a year of tremendous growth, and these are skills we will continue helping them build throughout the year. 

Drop-off, anxiety, reassurance and when to be concerned.

It is very normal for children to have some worries about starting kindergarten. Even children who are excited about school may have a hard time saying goodbye once the first day arrives.

If your child is feeling nervous, try to keep your message simple and confident. Let them know that you understand that saying goodbye can feel hard, while also showing them that you believe they can handle it.

A few things that can help:

• Keep your morning and drop-off routine predictable.

• Keep goodbyes loving, but brief.

• Avoid sneaking away, even when it feels easier in the moment.

• Talk about what will happen during the school day and when you will see each other again.

• Try not to ask too many questions about worries before school. Sometimes lots of reassurance can accidentally make a worry feel even bigger.

• Focus on the parts of school your child can look forward to.

• Give the new routine some time. Adjusting to kindergarten is a process!

You may also notice that your child holds it together beautifully at school and then falls apart when they get home. This can be very normal during the first few weeks. School requires a lot of listening, sharing, waiting, problem-solving and managing emotions. Home is often the place where children finally let all of that out.

If worries about school or separation are getting bigger instead of better, are interfering with your child's ability to come to school, or you simply aren't sure what is typical, please reach out to your child's school counselor. We are happy to help.

Helpful Resources:

Back-to-School Anxiety — Child Mind Institute

Practical information about helping children manage worries about returning to or starting school.

Separation Anxiety — HealthyChildren.org

Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics about helping children manage separation.

A small, curated group of books for starting school, worries and feelings.

Reading books together can be a great way to start conversations about school, worries, friendships and big feelings. Here are a few favorites that can be especially helpful as children begin kindergarten:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
A sweet story for children who are worried about being away from home.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
A funny way to talk about some of the worries children may have about starting school.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
A reassuring story about staying connected to the people we love, even when we aren't together.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
A wonderful book about big feelings and what children sometimes need when something is hard.

Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen
A story about belonging, kindness and becoming part of a classroom community.

When/how to contact the school counselor (i.e Ms.Olson)

You don't need to wait until something becomes a big problem to reach out! 

Please consider contacting your child's school counselor if your child is:

• Having a difficult time adjusting to school

• Struggling regularly with separation or drop-off

• Experiencing frequent worries about school

• Having friendship or peer concerns

• Showing big changes in mood or behavior

• Frequently complaining of stomachaches or headaches connected to school

• Going through a significant change at home

• Experiencing grief or loss

• Having difficulty managing big feelings

• Or simply seems like they could use a little extra support

And sometimes there isn't a specific category. If something feels different with your child, you have a question, or you aren't sure whether something is worth reaching out about, please feel free to contact us.

We can start with a conversation and figure out what might be helpful from there.