F
or many par-
ents, kinder-
garten signals
an important transition
from the all-consuming
baby and toddler years.
Suddenly, your “baby” is
expected to make more
choices on her own, stay
focused over a longer pe-
riod of time, learn new
skills, and navigate a so-
cial circle with less over-
sight from you. Plan ahead
to pave the road to a hap-
pier kindergarten transi-
tion for all.
Visit the school.
Before school begins, at-
tend school orientations
and meet the teacher to
help your child grow fa-
miliar with his new learn-
ing environment.
Washington, who spe-
cializes in child develop-
ment and parenting prac-
tices. “The parent should
convey that they are on the
same team as the teacher
(even if they have differ-
ent ideas about how to as-
sist their child).”
— by Christa Melnyk Hines
Kicking Off Kindergarten
Help your kindergartener score
a smoother transition into school
Calm kindergarten jitters. Build
excitement and optimism for school.
Shop for a new backpack or lunchbox,
school supplies, and new clothes togeth-
er. “Even if parents are feeling nervous,
they should do their best not to portray
that to their child,” says Kathy Weller,
a kindergarten teacher. “Be very upbeat
about the upcoming new experience.”
Recognize friendly faces. Be-
fore school starts, arrange play dates
with future classmates. A few familiar
faces on the first day may help calm any
nervous butterflies.
Read together. Reading to your
child teaches valuable listening skills
and creates an opportunity to help your
child prepare for the kindergarten expe-
rience. Check out books like The Night
Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
and Kindergarten Rocks by Katie Davis.
Tackle a few skills. While know-
ing his colors, the ABCs, and how to
count to ten will give your child a head
start, work on other skills like teaching
him to tie his shoes and his full name,
phone number, and birthday.
Plan transportation. Avoid trans-
portation snafus by sticking to a plan and
keeping your child (and the teacher) in-
formed. If your child will ride the bus
and is nervous, listen and reassure her.
Drive the route ahead of time. Also, seek
out a “bus buddy” for your child, wheth-
er a responsible older neighbor child or
another bus-riding classmate. On the
first day of school, arrive early at the bus
stop. Introduce yourself and your child
to the driver.
Assure your child that you (or who-
ever you’ve designated), will be waiting
for her when the bus returns after school.
Get good eats and sweet
dreams. Make sure your new kinder-
gartener gets plenty of rest and eats
healthy meals, which will help him bet-
ter manage the stress of the transition
and stay focused during school. Wake up
a little earlier to avoid a rushed first day.
Reflect on the day.
Having a hard time get-
ting your child to discuss
his day? “Keeping a daily
journal of their day (with
mom’s help) is a fun way
to get your kids to talk
about school,” says kin-
dergarten teacher Wendy
Hughes. “Ask your child
to tell you some funny or
interesting things that may
have happened that day.”
Manage
adver-
sity. Every child is bound
to have a rough day. Encourage her to
resolve her own problems and take re-
sponsibility for her actions.
“Ask your child for her input and
perspective, genuinely listen, acknowl-
edge and empathize, and then shift the
focus towards reaching solutions as a
family and in unison with your teach-
ers and school,” says parent coach Tom
Limbert, author of Dad’s Playbook:
Wisdom for Fathers from the Greatest
Coaches of All Time. “Focus on giving
your child the tools, morals, and lessons
she will need when not in your presence,
which will now be more and more of-
ten.”
Team up with the teacher. Share
insights about your child’s strengths
with the teacher to help her understand
what motivates and interests your child. Mark the occasion. Celebrate
your child’s first day of school with a
special outing after school like a frozen
yogurt, dinner out, or a playdate at her
favorite park. Who knows? You may
find that initial celebration turns into an
annual first-day-of-school tradition for
your family.
“Parents should approach school
with the idea that the teacher has their
child’s best interest at heart,” says Dr.
Holly Schiffrin, an associate professor
of psychology at the University of Mary Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk
Hines and her two sons plan to cele-
brate the first day of school with dinner
at their favorite restaurant!
August 2019 WNY Family 27