New Beginnings: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Transition into Kindergarten
Transitioning From Preschool to Kindergarten
Last week was the first week of school here in Upstate New York. This is an exciting time for parents, but also an exciting time for our teachers here at Little Lukes Preschool as we see many of the children in our care move on and grow into kindergarteners.
While kindergarten is exciting for parents and teachers, it is important to remember your children and what may be going through their minds. Kindergarten is a brand-new experience and there can be a lot of emotions surrounding it. Your child might be excited for their second week of school, but what if they are scared or anxious?
How to Make the Kindergarten Transition Easier
Practice Your Morning Routine
Children tend to respond very well to consistent routines. A morning routine can help your child feel more secure before they get on the school bus. Helping them start their day on a smooth and positive note can really reciprocate through the rest of their day by reducing stress.
Share Your Experiences
Children look up to their parents a lot and in the most positive way. Sharing some of your experiences with your child can help reassure them that they can do this, and they will get through the initial nervousness. Even if it isn’t a memory from kindergarten, any grade school memory could help them, because if mommy or daddy did this, so can they!
Stay Connected
Checking your child’s backpack and looking at all of the papers they have received is one of many ways to keep connected with your child. This will show your child that you want to be involved in their learning endeavors and will provide more support to them. Reassure them that they can ask you any question that pops in their mind, so they feel comfortable asking for help at home and inside the classroom.
Help Them Meet the Other Children in Their Classroom
Making new friends in their class is a great opportunity to help your child become more comfortable with their new teacher and new classroom. Attend the schools open house and parent events. While you are there talk to the other children and point our connections between them and your child. Do they like to play with the same types of toys? Do they both have the same favorite color? Pointing out these similarities can encourage both children to continue to speak and play with each other.
Continue at Home Learning
For children who tend to lag in a specific learning area, it’s a great idea to continue learning activities at home. This can really help your child feel more confident and encourage them to want to learn even more throughout the beginning weeks of school. Being consistent with an after-school ritual for homework and discussing the day can strengthen their confidence even more.
Little Lukes Educational Preschool
Little Lukes is a leading Syracuse and Oswego County education provider with five inclusion preschool locations. The early education program includes credentialed and caring staff that specializes in comprehensive infant, toddler and pre-kindergarten development. Additional services include pediatric speech therapy, pediatric physical therapy and pediatric occupational therapy. Preschool locations include Dewitt (East Syracuse), Baldwinsville (Radisson), Oswego, Fulton, and Pulaski.
For information about Little Lukes, please contact us at www.littlelukes.com/contact.html
