15 Ways to Be Ready For Kindergarten
Kindergarten is right around the corner.....
by Linda Douglas
January 26, 2012
Help your child get off to a great start!
Kindergarten matters.
A good year helps your child form a positive attitude about school. Your child is more likely to have an easier time if he or she:
>knows what to expect
>is already used to listening and following routines and rules
>knows how to get along with others
>knows the basics about letters, numbers, and language
1. Talk with your child often. Talk about what you see and do. Make up stories. Sing songs. Rhyme. Tell jokes. These things help your child learn about words, language and the world.
2. Read to your child daily. It's key to helping your child learn how to read. It can be a great part of bedtime routine, too. As you read each word, point to it. Ask your child to guess what might happen next or to retell the story Go to the library together. Let your child help pick books. choose some on kindergarten.
3. Teach the ABCs. Help your child learn the alphabet and relate places or things to each letter. When you see an "A," for example, point it out. Say, "A is for apple and ant." Also point out words your child sees often in the world. For example, look for common words at the grocery store.
4. Count together. Count birds on a wire, people in a checkout line...anything. If you see a "3", for example, say, "Show me 3 fingers." Compare things. Use more/fewer and bigger/smaller. In time, talk about what happens if you take 1 item away..or add 1.
5. Explore shapes, colors, and more. Teach your child basic shapes and colors. Have your child guess what comes next in repeating patterns, such as red, blue, red, blue.
6. Encourage coloring and scribbling. These are pre-writing skills and exercise fine motor skills. Encourage your child to copy letters and numbers as well as their name.
7. Learn about the school. Meet the teacher. Ask for tip on helping your child succeed.
8. Put your child at ease. Discuss what the school day will be like. Encourage questions and stress the fun things your child will do and learn.
9. Use instructions. Help your child practice following simple instructions. Responsibility is also important. Give your child simple chores. Teach him/her to take care of thins and let them make some choices, such as what to wear.
10. Work on making friends. Teach how to share, take turns, say "please" and "thank you", respect other people's things, and solve problems without hitting.
11. Use routines. Create routines for bedtime and waking up, laying out school clothes the night before, and eating breakfast.
12. Get your child moving. Children need plenty of physical activity. Encourage running, dancing, hopping, climbing, and catching balls. Make it a family affair!
13. Teach good hygiene. Help your child learn to use the restroom without help. Get him/her into the habit of washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.
14. Teach safety. Make sure your child knows his/her full name, address, telephone number, and how to contact you. Practice waiting at bus stops safely, and go over rules for when your child is on the bus.
15. Get your child immunized.
