Entering kindergarten is a life-changing and important event in for a child and their parents. And, in many ways, this event could shape the image they have of themselves, others, and education.
Missing this step could have repercussions for the child and leave scars that will be hard to erase. But making sure that your child is ready will give them a sense of confidence and prepare them for the interpersonal challenges that come with it. Here are some of the things you could do to prepare your child for kindergarten.
Enroll Them in a School Readiness Program
If you think your child might not be ready yet or you simply want to give them a solid foundation, we suggest you consider enrolling them in a school readiness program. Most of these will offer some sort of personalized learning program that will prepare them for a school setting.
Colleges like www.preunicollege.com.au have a great school readiness program that focuses on making learning fun for your child so they won’t be as intimidated when they come in, and they will have already made a good association with school work. This change in attitude can make a huge difference on your child and their view of school now and in the future.
Instill New Routines
You want to start instilling new routines in your child and getting them excited to start. Start preparing them for their new bedtime, and make distinctions between the week and weekends. You want to start as soon as possible, and make changes gradually so they can get into a rhythm. Young children love routines, and uncertainty can affect their development, so make sure that you are strict with it and stick to bedtime and morning rituals.
Make Sure the Teacher is Ready
Don’t be afraid to talk with your child’s future teacher and give them a cheat sheet with a few facts about your child before the year starts. The more they know, the more they’ll be able to adapt to them.
It should include things like any special medical treatment or condition the child may have, their name and nickname, their favorite activities, their preferred or disliked foods and their allergies. All of these will give the teacher a snapshot of your child and will help build a stronger relationship between them.
Pick a Transitional Object
We’re all familiar with the idea of the security blanket, and picking a transitional object for your child could help them cope with emotional stress and anguish when parents aren’t there. It is engraved into a child’s psychology to look for an outlet in stressful times, and this could be of great help to them. It could be something as simple as a stuffed animal or a pouch with your picture and contact info.
Kindergarten can be both an exhilarating and nerve wracking experience for both you and your child. With these few tips, however, you’ll be able to take some of the stress out of it and allow your child to flourish in their new environment.
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