Welcome, Green Frog Class of 2021-2022!

getting ready for kindergarten

Preparing Your Child for Their First Day of Kindergarten

1. Talk with your child about what to expect during a typical school day, including classroom time, snack, recess, and where the bathrooms are located. The more your child knows about the details, the less anxious he or she will feel about the first days of school.

1. There are bathrooms right across the hall. On half days, we go to recess once.  On full days, we go to recess twice.  We will always have a morning meeting, literacy, math, time to play in the classroom, and read a story.)

2. Read books with your child about starting kindergarten. Librarians can often offer suggestions.

(The Night Before Kindergarten, Kindergarten Rocks, The Kissing Hand, The Berenstain Bears Go To School)

3. Rehearse for the big day by practicing all the activities that will happen at school. Do a test-run of the new routine:

 a. Wake up at the time necessary in order to give your child plenty of time to get ready.

 b. Plan and fix a healthy breakfast. Teach your kindergartner how to help with this.

c. Lay out clothes the night before and make sure zippers, buttons and ties are able to be easily fastened.

d. If your child takes a school bus, walk to the bus stop and talk about boarding and where to sit. If you will drive them to school, talk about landmarks along the way.

e. Pack a lunch for both of you and sit down with your child to practice opening things together. If you will be sending a lunch, make sure it is a nutritious food that they like and can open. Juice boxes, fruit cups, and zip lock bags can frustrate your child if they haven’t had practice. Remind them to ask for help if needed. The class esp will be there to help at lunch.  If your child is buying lunch, make sure they know what they are getting.  There are several options every day. 

4. Reassure your child about what will happen after the school day is over (where they are going, what they are going to do, when they will see you). If they are going to after-school child care, talk about the activities and schedule during this time.

5. If needed, give your child a family picture of you to keep in their pocket or backpack, and reassure them about what time you will be back to pick them up.

6. Spend extra time on the first day of school, but do not “drag out” saying goodbye. Send them off with a reassuring hug and kiss!

7.  Keep informed.  Read the teacher’s and principal’s newsletter so you know what is happening.

8. Getting and staying involved in your child’s school activities sends a message that education and school are important.  If possible, participate in your school’s PTO/PTA.  Volunteer in the library or classroom.  Offer to cut out shapes at home or to put classroom materials in your dishwasher for a good cleaning.

9. Most importantly, celebrate and enjoy this milestone with your child!

*Adapted from several sources..