Unfortunately, many parents stress over getting their kids prepared for kindergarten. The good news is that it doesn’t have to happen to you. Keep reading, to learn more about how to accomplish the task so that it goes smoothly for everyone. We have some great tips for Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten.
Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten
Positive Interactions
When your child starts kindergarten, he’s going to be around lots of kids every day. It’s important to talk with him about getting along with his classmates, especially if he’s an only child. Talk to him about his own feelings and make sure he understands that all of his new classmates have feelings, too.
Motor Skills
These days, many kids use apps to learn letters, shapes and colors. While these apps are excellent learning tools, they don’t help to develop your child’s fine motor skills in the same way traditional activity books do.
Find a few coloring or activity books for your child, to go along with any educational apps you have for them. Practicing coloring and drawing now helps them out later when it’s time to learn skills like handwriting.
Math
Going into kindergarten, kids should have a basic understanding of counting and numbers. Make sure to find excuses to get them counting as much as possible and don’t forget to make it fun! Encourage them to count how many steps it takes to walk across their room, how many crackers come in a single packet, or even how many toys are stashed away in their toy box. If she spills something “countable” suggest she let you know how many she picked up…turning an accident or a spill into an opportunity
Reading
In kindergarten, your child will start to learn about letters and words. While she doesn’t need to know how to read on her own when she goes, it will help to instill a love of reading in the future.
If you haven’t already, begin the habit of reading to her at bedtime, making sure to show the illustrations. Talk to her about what an author is, and why it’s important to read. You can go one step further and introduce her to a few favorite books from your own childhood. It’s a great way to learn and spend quality time together!
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