If you are like so many parents of pre-K age kids, you no doubt are getting your child ready to start kindergarten and embark on those fun-filled elementary school years in the traditional ways. You may have enrolled your child in a pre-K program, or perhaps you are going over the ABCs and 123s with your child at home. If you are a real go-getter, you may even be preparing your child by teaching him or how to read and even do some simple addition, too.
I am a mother of three. I have gone through the kinder years twice already and am currently getting my youngest prepared to enter school, too. I have gone through those first mornings of kindergarten where you try to hold back the tears so your big kindergartener doesn’t see you crying. Beyond that, I’ve seen through my own kids and also learned from other parents and even a few teachers, too, what kids really need to know for kindergarten. If you want your child to be prepared for kindergarten and enjoy a solid foundation for the elementary school years, here are some things your child needs to know:
Education: The fact is that while kindergarten may have been a time to learn how to sing the ABC song and learn colors and shapes, the kids entering kindergarten today largely know these things. It’s important that your child is on even footing with his or her peers so that he or she feels absolutely comfortable in that environment. This year will set the tone for education for years to come! So make an effort to start educating your child at home before kindergarten or enroll him or her in a pre-K program if possible.
Social Skills: If you have been of the mindset that your child will learn social skills once he or she gets to kindergarten, well, you’re right. However, many of your child’s peers will already be fully sociable through attending playgroups, Sunday school at church, playing with neighbors, and attending preschool. Several kindergarten teachers have told me over the years that kids who have not had the ability to develop social skills fully often have the most difficult time adjusting to elementary school life.
Safety Information: When I was in kindergarten many years ago, we spent many weeks going over our home address, phone number, and other pertinent information. Unfortunately we don’t live in such a world today, and it is far safer for your child to know this information beforehand. It doesn’t hurt for him or her to know your work number or the number of a close friend or relative before kindergarten starts, too, as well as how to use the phone. Your child won’t generally have a need to use this information, but where safety is concerned, you just can never be too careful!
Health and Hygiene: If your child is stuck in the habit of sneezing without a tissue close by, coughing without covering the cough, picking his nose, or farting or belching in front of others, it’s time to break your child of those habits. While certainly there is a health and hygiene factor involved here (and kindergarteners are notorious for spreading illnesses around a classroom like wildfire), there is also the fact that kids of this age are starting to realize that these behaviors are “gross.” They will start teasing kids for such behaviors. Every child will be teased at some point, but these are things that you can work on at home and that can spare your child some grief in the classroom.
If your child is still a few months away from walking into the doors of his or her elementary school, you can enjoy having plenty of time work on these things before that big first day of school. If the first day is closer, it certainly doesn’t hurt to get started, and then continue working with your child on these things during the first part of the school year.
Here are a few other articles from this author:
Are competitive sports right for your kids?
Is your toddler afraid of the water? Swimming tips that work
The argument for kids playing multiple sports: Considerations beyond your schedule