Kindergarten:
The Big Step
 ©2000 by Parents' Press
Photo © Skjold Photography
Updated for Fall, 2008
The Class of 2021 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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