The move to kindergarten is filled with new fun and some worries for kids. They get to meet new friends, learn new things, and play all day. But, kids might feel nervous about talking to people they don’t know and leaving home. To help calm these worries, parents can read storybooks with their kids. These books help kids learn how to make friends and act kindly in new places. Brian Smith, a teacher in North Carolina, has shared twenty skills parents can practice with kids to get ready for school. This includes knowing letters and sounds, holding pencils correctly, and writing their names.
Scholastic offers great tools for learning. For example, there’s “My First BOB Books: Alphabet” to get to know letters, “Write and Wipe Learn to Write” to practice writing, and “100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages” for reading. Getting better at reading and math, as well as being curious about the world, are big goals for this year.
To help kids be more ready for school, suggested books include “Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn and “Look out Kindergarten, Here I Come” by Nancy Carlson. These books are about more than just school subjects. They teach kids how to take care of themselves, get along with others, and handle their feelings. It’s also important to teach kids about letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and solving problems. This lays a good base for school success now and later on.
Lisa LaRue, with over 27 years in child education, notes how important the first five years are for a child’s brain. Reading helps with words, listening, and focus. Playdates, preschool, and community events teach children to share and wait their turn.
With SplashLearn’s PreK-5 learning used by over 40 million kids, these hints are crucial for getting ready for kindergarten. Parents should get kids set for school both emotionally and in what they’ll learn. Following these tips makes for a good start to your child’s school journey.
Navigating Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten readiness includes feeling ready and knowing some school stuff. Talking to your child about school feelings is key. Teachers suggest creating regular daily plans to prepare kids for school. These routines help with less stress and sayxing goodbye better. It’s all about making going to school easier for kids.
Going to the school before it starts and doing morning routines can help. Knowing what skills kindergarten teachers look for is important. This includes managing feelings, writing names, and knowing shapes and colors. Books like “The Kissing Hand” and “The King of Kindergarten” are good for getting kids ready for reading and school.
If your child needs extra help, talk with the teachers before school starts. Connecting with other parents can also offer support. Setting up after-school plans early makes the transition smoother. This way, kids don’t worry about when they’ll be picked up.
Developing Academic Skills for Kindergarten
Kindergarten is an important time for kids to learn. Before they start, it’s key to teach them basic skills. For example, using the right pencil grip and writing their name properly begin their learning journey.
They can learn to read by connecting sounds with letters. Books like the 100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages are helpful. These books teach them words they will often see.
Counting and putting things in order are also necessary. Activities in books like the Scholastic Early Learners: Kindergarten Extra Big Skills Workbook: Math Practice help with this. Other books, like the Scholastic Early Learners: Pre-K Extra Big Skills Workbook: Sorting and Matching, are good too. They lay the foundation for what kids will learn early on. These resources are part of the Essential Kindergarten Parent Tips.
Essential Kindergarten Parent Tips
Getting ready for kindergarten helps kids learn important skills. Using books like “How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms?” teaches tidiness. “Hello, Hedgehog! #5: Can I Have a Turn?” teaches kids to wait their turn. “Klutz” kits help kids get creative and learn to use school supplies. It’s important for kids to start doing things by themselves, like dressing and using the bathroom.
Parents can use colorful learning tools to help their kids. Things like Flash Cards: Colors & Shapes help with colors and shapes. These tools get kids ready for school and learning new things.
Morning routines can make the day easier. Kids should have time to get dressed, eat breakfast, and pack. Goodbye traditions, like kisses or high fives, can help with school nerves. Starting kindergarten can feel many ways, so be ready to help kids through it.
Lisa LaRue, an early education expert, says parents should prepare kids for school. Books and tools like “100 Write-and-Learn Sight Word Practice Pages” are great. They help kids get smarter at home.
Supportive parents make the transition smoother. Joining parent groups is helpful. Shopping for school supplies together personalizes the experience. It helps kids feel safer and happier at their new school.
Supporting Emotional and Social Development
Helping children start kindergarten well means teaching social skills and how to handle feelings. Kids who are 3 to 4 always look happy and curious when they play and hear stories. This shows that playing and learning together helps kids become emotionally strong and ready for school.
Kids need to trust those who take care of them. This makes them feel safe. Teachers and parents work together to help kids understand and share their feelings and play well with others. They use stories to show how to deal with emotions together.
Starting kindergarten means adjusting to new routines. This includes different times for eating and sleeping. Playing in a way kids choose themselves or teaching by showing good examples helps them learn how to get along with others. It also helps them get used to their new daily activities.
Telling kids about rules is important. It helps them know how to treat others well. Parents and teachers also praise kids for doing good things and help them with little tasks. This makes kids feel happy and strong, ready for kindergarten.
