Getting Ready for Kindergarten and Life
What will help children to succeed in school and life:
a strong sense of self
the ability to play
one good friend (play dates - parent stays)
sleep (brain) (12-14 hours/day)
nutrition (brain)
eating meals with the whole family at home as often as possible (with the t.v. and radio off)
parents and others who play with and talk with the child
appropriate toys/learning materials (children can't learn if they don't know how to play)
opportunities for physical activity/outdoor play (brain)
pretend play (highly valuable)
positive discipline - set limits in a positive way
adults who limit and control screen time (no more than 1-2 hours/day of t.v., video games, computers combined; also avoid adult and violent programs (brain)
read to your child (single most important indicator of future reading success) - use the library regularly
talk to your child, play word/sound/rhyming games
Joan Spoerl, M.A.T.
2/21/2007
In order to promote your child's learning and development, you want to make it meaningful, fun and part of your everyday life.
Make the most of your child's questions, interests and passions. If you don't know much about what interests your child, learn with him or her.
Visit the library - both the fiction section for picture and story books and the non-fiction section for information books about the things that interest your child; take out alphabet and number books too. Check out children's magazines such as Your Big Backyard, Ranger Rick, Zoobooks, etc.
Make the most of your daily routine - find teachable moments; talk to your child about colors, shapes, objects, sounds, various concepts; count out loud when appropriate, etc. as you walk, drive, ride the bus or train, do your grocery shopping, etc.
Play with the sounds of language - rhyming, talk about the sounds you hear in words, the sounds letters make, etc.
Set up an art/writing center for your child. Post the alphabet. Provide tools. Create a journal/s - dictation and their own writing.
Joan Spoerl, M.A.T.
2/21/2007
Set up an art center with paper towel and toilet paper rolls, bottle caps, scrap paper, cardboard boxes, masking tape, etc. and let them create!
Promote fine motor skills - with play dough, clay, hama beads, legos, etc.
Catch them being good and give specific praise.
For the actual transition to the new school:
visit school & classroom (if possible, visit the class in the fall with him/her); introduce yourself to the principal
get copy of goals
write a letter to the teacher about your child (that "paints a picture" of your child)
read related books
dictate your child's hopes & fears (make into a book)
be open with the teacher/foster communication/acknowledge any cultural differences that may lead to unintended misunderstandings
If at all possible, throughout your child's time in school, try to limit the number of times your child changes schools.
Let your child know you want them to learn and do well in school. Just that can make a world of difference.
Joan Spoerl, M.A.T.
2/21/2007Â
(c) 2007 by Joan Spoerl. All rights reserved