Kindergarten:
The Big Step
 ©2000 by Parents' Press
Photo © Skjold Photography
Updated for Fall, 2000
The Class of 2022 is about to
enter kindergarten, and it's time to prepare your child for the
big day.
Kindergarten has changed over
the last few years. More children attend preschool, including
pre-kindergarten or "developmental kindergarten" classes.
More parents opt to delay kindergarten for a year some
because they feel their child isn't quite mature enough, others
to give their child a developmental edge as one of the older
kids in class. Some private schools require students to be 5
years old when the kindergarten year begins, rather than the
traditional 4 years, 9 months. Academic subjects receive more
emphasis, and teachers may expect more from their students.
Nonetheless, the first day of
kindergarten remains an exciting and possibly scary rite of passage
for kids and a poignant milestone for parents. To help you approach
that day with confidence, here are some of the best tips on starting
school that Parents' Press has collected over the years from
Bay Area educators, child development experts, and parents.
Entering
kindergarten is a big step, and children know it. Even children
who have attended preschool sense that starting "real school"
is not only important but also different from their past learning
experiences. Children who have not attended preschool face their
first major separation from home and family, an adjustment to
a whole new world without on-the-spot parental support.
Some
children are eager to get on with it, while others find the occasion
overwhelming to the point of tears. All children, however, are
a little nervous. Parents' support and understanding of the magnitude
of this milestone in their children's lives can go a long way
toward making the first year of school a positive experience.
According to child development
experts, parents play an important role in shaping a child's
attitude toward school now and in the years to come. A balance
of enthusiasm and matter-of-fact acceptance is your goal.
Children
are filled with questions about school. How will I get there?
How long will I be there? How many days do I have to go? Will
I get to play? Where is the school? What room will I be in, and
what am I going to do in school?
Answer all your child's questions
honestly and in as much detail as possible. Sharing details can
curb a child's anxiety and help him or her cope with the stress.
If
possible, visit the school with your child before opening day.
Some schools offer an orientation session for new students. Meet
your child's teacher if possible, and walk through the school
hallways. Show your child the lunchroom, the principal's office,
and, of course, the bathrooms.
If you can't visit while the
building is open, at least walk around the school and let your
child investigate the playground. Share your own memories of
kindergarten.
If your child will go to an after-school
program (even if just across the school yard), walk over the
route ahead of time, and visit if possible.
If your child's school provides a roster
of classmates ahead of time, try for some late-summer play dates.
Familiar faces may ease the transition, especially for shy children.
Start the "school day" routine
about a week before classes begin, with early bedtime, awakening,
dressing, and breakfast.
Remember that entering kindergarten is
stressful. Plan extra quiet time and rest for the first month;
keep family activities simple and familiar. Try not to begin
other new activities and classes during this time. More free-play
time at home helps to balance the more structured environment
at school.
Review the kindergarten day's schedule
with your child. Make sure your child knows where to meet you
after school, or how to go to his after-school program. Make
sure your child understands basic traffic safety rules
and follows them.
Make
it a point to get to know your child's teacher and the school.
Ask about current and upcoming activities, and plan to attend
parent-teacher conferences. Research shows that when parents
attend school events, their children are more likely to achieve
academic success. Simply showing up for open houses, conferences,
performances, and back-to-school nights sends a powerful message
to your child.
If
you can, volunteer to help in the classroom and get involved
with the parent-teacher organization. If you can't get away from
work, ask about other ways you can help.
If you want to photograph or videotape
your child on the big day, do so at home before leaving for school.
Camera-toting parents in the classroom make the kindergarten
teacher's job much more difficult.
When the time comes to relinquish your
child to the kindergarten teacher for the first time go!
Give a final hug or kiss, a reminder that you will be back by
a certain time, and a firm goodbye. Some children do cry and
cling when it comes time for a parent to leave, but it seldom
helps to stretch out the goodbyes.
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