Prepping for Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a huge transition time. Think new routines, unfamiliar driving routes, new faces and brand-new experiences. And that goes for not just the Kindergartener but for the whole family!
While preparing our five year old for the upcoming transition this Fall, we’ve learned a few tricks of the trade.
- Visit the school 3-4 weeks ahead of school start. Easing the transition to this new unfamiliar (and possibly scary) place is key. Let your little one visit the new playground, walk the halls, check out the cafeteria and use the bathrooms. Doing so will ease painful drop offs when the time comes.
- Read books about starting a new school. Leave it to the experts to ease some of your kid’s stress about starting Kindergarten. Some recommendations are: Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner by Amy Schwartz, Back to School for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos and Nicole Rubel, and Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate. Beyond the books, keep the conversations about Kindergarten pretty light. Over talking may cause even more stress for your little one.
- Plan playdates. Contact the school about getting a class list and reach out to other parents about playdates. Having a buddy to start this new journey with will help your five year old navigate the halls of the unfamiliar.
- Get organized. This is the most important step of all! A few weeks before school starts, practice going to bed at the new needed bedtime. Wake up early as if you are heading to school at the new (painfully) early start time. Practice lunch packing. Outfit planning. And practice packing a backpack so your Kindergartner knows what to expect.
And on the big day, if you can swing it, take the day off of work. If you can, spend non-rushed time at drop off giving extra hugs, kisses and assurances. Pick up right at the final bell even if the rest of the days they will spend post-school time in an aftercare program or with a caregiver.
These extra steps will help your Kindergartener have an easier transition into their next phase of life. And hopefully, the only tears will be shed by mom and dad. Good luck!
