How To Prepare Your Children for Kindergarten

Whether it is your first, middle or last child, sending your children to Kindergarten is always a very emotional time. It is also very especial, as it officially marks the beginning of their school career. These are the first steps they are beginning to take towards independence.

In my case, my children were home with me and went straight into kindergarten. Each time, it was exciting and a little bit sad to let them go. But inevitable, it is a part of growing up and their development.

One thing is for sure, we have to prepare our children for their official first year in school. They must be able to do certain things on their own to make their experience and transition, easy and enjoyable.

Here are 11 things you should make sure to teach them before their first day arrives.

1. Ask them how they feel about starting school

Allow them the opportunity to express themselves. Ask them if they are excited, nervous, or both.  If they have any concerns or questions, listen attentively and answer them in a clear and simple way. Don’t over complicate it. This may accidentally cause misunderstandings and possibly give way to fear about the school experience.

Keep it simple, clear, and positive.

2. Go to the bathroom on their own

They need to know how to take off their clothes and put them back on by themselves. Know how to clean themselves, wash their hands and flush the toilet.

If need be, their teacher will always be able to help them. However, it is much better if they can handle it on their own.

3. Talk about boundaries

You need to have an age-appropriate conversation with your child about their personal space and boundaries. Discuss the appropriate and inappropriate ways a person can touch their bodies (even if the touch comes from other kids). To consider the bathroom a private place unless they need help from their teachers.

Talk about bullying and what to do if another child is mistreating them. Also take the opportunity to clarify the difference between bullying and conflict (kids may think they are being bullied, when really, they are just having a disagreement or argument with a friend).

 4. Open and close bookbag

Teach them how to open and close their bookbags. How to put things inside and take them out. By kindergarten, kids most likely have developed the motor skills to slide a zipper and might not struggle with this.

But if your child needs a little bit of help, it would be a good idea to practice at home before school begins.

5. Open and close lunchbox

This is very important, as it will enable your child to access their food at lunch-time easily. Teachers and their aids (if they have one), will always help the children open their lunch. Generally, there are about 2 teachers assigned to help many kids. This is also taking into consideration that this is the teacher’s lunch time as well.

There’s only so much time available to allow them the opportunity to be able to get to all the students in a timely manner. If your child can take their lunch out, open it, eat it, and put everything away, it would diminish the likelihood of struggling when it’s time to eat.

Practice at home. Pretend you are in school, and they need to access their lunch box. They will need to take everything out, open the Tupperware, eat, pack it up and put it back into their bookbags. By the time school begins, they will be pros.

6. How to behave in school

School is different from being at home, daycare or even pre-k3. They are not going to have nap time and the day will be more scheduled and more structured. Teach them that they have to raise their hand in school when they want to answer a question, use the bathroom, etcetera.

They need to pay attention and must respect their teacher. They also need to show respect to all the other staff at school. This includes: the principal, main office staff, janitor, lunch aides, and everyone else at school. They need to be polite and understand that when they are in school, their teacher is in charge.

7. Attend orientation day

If possible, attend orientation day. This is a special day that the school provides for new students to tour the school and meet the teachers.

This would be great for your little kindergartener (and you!) because they will get to walk around the school, see their classroom, and meet their teacher. This will ease their anxiety and uncertainty about their new school.

8. Prepare them for the school commute

There are different ways in which your child will make it to school every day. Here are the different types of possibilities and how to prepare for them:

• Walker: If you will be walking to school, talk about your route and where they are going to be dropped off, as well as what to do once you get there.

• Bus ride: If they will be riding in the school bus, discuss how they are expected to behave while on the bus. They have to stay in their seat, they shouldn’t throw things, and should be respectful to the bus driver. They need to know their Bus number and what they have to do once they get to school. Schools will usually send you information beforehand to let you know what’s been put into place to help the students when they arrive in school. In my children’ school they have safeties (older students) to help the kindergarteners get to class and onto their bus after school. They also send you a tag, where you write their name, class, and bus number. This ensures that your child always makes it to their destination.

• Drive to school: If you drive them to school, talk about how drop off is going to work and where they should go once they get off.

• Taking public transportation: If you’ll be taking the bus, train, or any other public transportation; go over your route and how long the commute is going to be. Discuss any safety precautions so you won’t get separated during the stops and how drop off is going to be (You can check out How to make a plan with your kids in case they get lost in a crowd).

Doing this will prepare your kindergartener to go to school confidently. They might still be a little nervous and uncertain, but knowing what to expect and what they should be doing will make it a thousand times easier.

9. Talk about school in a positive way

Hype up the school experience! Tell them how awesome it’s going to be. Emphasize that they will have lots of fun, make new friends, and learn so many new things. You can also talk about your positive memories from when you were in school.

Kindergarten is the most fun grade to be in. They take breaks, read stories, and play in the school yard or playground all the time. They will also learn how to write their name and begin to read.

Assure them that they have nothing to worry about and that it’s going to be great, and they are going to love it. Answer any questions they may have (if any) and always keep it fun and positive.

10. Have the older siblings encourage them

If your little one has older siblings, include them in the conversation. Older siblings are always willing to “impart their wisdom” and tell them all about school. It also creates a bonding moment for the siblings, as they have something new that they will have in common.

Keep in mind though, that older siblings may be inclined to teasing. So, make sure that they are not playfully trying to scare your kindergartener, lol.

11. Watch fun shows that depict school

They probably have watched shows where kids are attending school. They’ve probably watched Cocomelon, Peppa Pig, amongst many others. Therefore, they might already have an idea of some of the things that kids do at school. You can sit down, watch these shows with them and then talk about it.

What should you expect

If this is your first baby, know that they will be ok. They will make new friends, have lots of fun experiences and are going to love school. They will come home and tell you about all the things they did throughout the day. This will fill you with joy, seeing their minds open up right in front of your eyes.

If this is your middle child, you are already a pro at this. You will still wonder if they’ll be ok and if they will adjust like their older siblings. Deep down, you know it’ll be fine, but the thought will still creep into your mind. Allow yourself to relax, they will be ok.

However, if this is your last child, you might experience mix feelings of joy and sadness. Finding yourself as a new empty nester might be exciting but heart-wrenching at the same time. But you will be so happy to see your baby grow and love school. This will bring you peace and happiness (Check out this post about How it feels when you send your last baby to Kindergarten).

Starting Kindergarten is a fun time for both children and parents. Watching your children grow and blossom is one of the gifts that life gives us. But like all things, we need to prepare our children so they can have the tools that they need in order to excel.

This is an exciting time. So, take it all in, and enjoy the journey.

Congratulations on starting kindergarten!