Welcome to Kindergarten Information

Did You Know?

• Including your child in daily housework helps develop their language and social communication skills.

• Letting your child take part in daily routines teaches essential life skills.

• Involving your child in tasks fosters responsibility and independence.

1. Vocabulary

• Teach New Words: Use household chores to introduce labels, action words, describing words, and sequence words.

• Examples:

  • Cleaning: Mop, broom, dusty, under, above.

  • Laundry: Detergent, sort, empty, similar, different.

  • Cooking: Stir, mix, tepid, first, after, together.

• Activities:

  • Say words while performing actions.

  • Repeat words often.

  • Encourage your child to use new words.

  • Sort objects (e.g., laundry) and discuss similarities/differences.

  • Create photo books to retell family stories.

2. Following Instructions

• Start Simple: Use clear language, model actions, and give time to follow through.

• Increase Complexity: Add two-step instructions and descriptive words.

• Switch Roles: Let your child give instructions to you.

3. Sequencing

• Teach Step-by-Step: Use sequence words (e.g., first, then) for tasks like making a sandwich.

• Practice Together: Pair spoken instructions with actions.

• Encourage Independence: Let your child lead and create visual aids (e.g., photos) to remember steps.

4. Collaborating & Negotiating

• Practice Communication: Assign chores together to help your child negotiate, request, share opinions, and state preferences.

Incorporate these tips into daily routines to help your child grow their language skills while learning valuable life lessons!

Share Books to Promote a Love of Reading

• Read to your child even after they start reading independently.

• Let them choose the story and read it multiple times.

• Dedicate at least 20 minutes daily to reading, such as during bedtime.

Make Reading a Habit

• Encourage independent reading, starting with picture books or memorized stories.

• Support growth by choosing books at or slightly below their reading level.

• Include magazines and newspapers as reading materials.

• Ask teachers for recommendations on suitable reading materials.

Visit the Library

• Get your child their own library card and visit often.

• Explore non-fiction books on topics of interest (e.g., animals, space).

• Seek librarian assistance for age-appropriate and engaging books.

Show Your Child That Reading is Important

• Let your child see you reading and share interesting facts from your reading.

• Use your library card and gift books to build their personal library.

• Reward good behavior with extra story time.

Tips for Parents Who Are Not Strong English Readers

• Read in your home language or borrow dual-language books.

• Use pictures to create stories or have the computer read to your child.

• Visit Halifax Public Libraries for free online stories via Tumblebooks.

• Sit with your child during computer story time and discuss the story together.

Promote reading as a fun and engaging activity for lifelong learning!