Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Keep it positive! Talk positively to children about starting kindergarten. Discuss expectations and how things will be different and/or similar to Pre-K. Give children the opportunity to share their feelings and ask questions too.

Visit kindergarten locations to get a feel for the classrooms.

If able, parents should link children with other peers who will attend the same school. This is a great opportunity for children to build friendships.

Encourage independence in developing and using self help skills. Remember: zipping and fastening, tying shoe laces, cleaning up learning centers, opening milk cartons and straw wrappers, carrying a tray, and independent hand washing.

Practice getting on and off a bus.

Practice carrying items on a cafeteria tray.

Practice raising hands to answer questions.

Read books relating to kindergarten so that children will build background knowledge and become familiar with expectations.

Create celebrations when children accomplish new tasks.

Remember that these ideas are to familiarize children with new concepts so we want to make them fun!!!