Kids grow up fast. And before you know it, yours will be approaching the age where you need to start thinking about Kindergarten. When this happens, you’ll want to ensure they are as prepared as possible. Follow these six tips for a seamless and successful transition:
- Review the Basics – Kindergarten may be one of the first in a long list of grade levels, but that doesn’t mean it’s ground zero. Most teachers will expect children to have a basic understanding of shapes, colors, numbers and letters. Help your child brush up on these concepts. Ask them to count to ten, recite their ABCs or write their name. The more you work these practices into their everyday lives, the more likely they are to remember them in school.
- Get Them Excited About Reading – When your son or daughter enters kindergarten, it is improbable that they will be expected to know how to read. However, by the end of the first grade, this is a skill they will need to possess. You can help jumpstart your child’s progress by reading to them regularly. Doing so will help pique their interest in books and widen their vocabulary, ultimately making them better communicators.
- Communicate the Importance of Healthy Hygiene – Hygiene may not be top on your list of things to teach your child before entering kindergarten, but it is an important skill nonetheless. Before the school year starts, aim to have your child completely potty trained. Though this is not a requirement for all schools, it is for many. And by teaching your child to use the bathroom by themselves, you can save staff members a great deal of time, energy and stress. In addition to proper bathroom etiquette, you’ll also want to emphasize the importance of washing hands before meals and covering mouths when coughing.
- Foster Emotional Intelligence – Emotional intelligence is another skill many parents overlook when preparing their child for kindergarten. However, knowing how to identify emotions correctly can set them up for success. Start by teaching the difference between “positive” and “negative” emotions. Remind your child that both feelings are natural and that one of the best ways to deal with them is through communication. Encourage them to speak up when they feel a certain way and to listen to others when they do the same.
- Practice Fine Motor Skills – As an adult, you don’t have to think twice about how to hold a pen or pencil. However, to many children, this is a challenging task that requires some practice. If your child hasn’t quite mastered this skill, work with them each day until they can confidently do it on their own. Some other fine motor skills to review with your soon-to-be kindergartener are brushing their teeth, dressing themselves and cutting with scissors.
- Be Proactive – The best thing you can do to prepare your child for kindergarten is to be proactive. In other words, when a learning opportunity presents itself, take it! The next time your son or daughter stops to watch a caterpillar crawl across the sidewalk, tell them how the creature will eventually become a butterfly. Or, if they start developing a strong interest in a specific subject, pick up a picture book about it. Thousands of learning opportunities surround you every day; all you have to do is look.
Set Your Child Up for Success
By actively working to prepare your child for kindergarten, you will give them the tools they need to succeed. However, personal preparation isn’t the only thing that will set them up for success. Enrolling them in a preschool or early education program can also help equip them to enter kindergarten. And for the best Pre-K in Peoria IL, look no further than PALS Praise and Leadership Schools.
For the past 30 plus years, we have helped children develop cognitive, motor & social skills in a nurturing environment. Find out how your child can enjoy all these great benefits and more by contacting us today. Call 309-740-4463 to reach our office on the northside or 309-228-2505 to talk with a team member downtown. To book a tour, do so through the button located at the top of our website. We look forward to meeting both you and your child!
