Transition to school
How to help your child have a successful transition to kindergarten
Physical needs
Food:
- Label all boxes and bottles including lids
- Keeps snacks & lunch very distinct
- Include a drink in lunch boxes
- Practice opening and closing the lunch box
- Talk about eating times at school and what happens during these times
- Encourage your child to eat a piece of fruit every day so that they can enjoy 'munch and crunch' time
Clothing:
- Write your child's name on all articles and/or make a distinct mark that your child can recognize.
- Expect that some items will go missing so talk about how to find them
- Dress your child appropriately according to the weather
- Keep rain gear in the bag
- Keep a change of underwear and a pair of socks in the bag
- Ensure that your child can get shoes on & off or purchase shoes that have Velcro straps.
Toileting:
- Ensure that your child can clean themselves after a normal motion and wash their hands
- Visit the school toilets and point out which toilets your child should use
- Let your child practice alone in a variety of different toilets (Boys need practice with urinals).
- Make sure your child can blow their nose and uses a tissue correctly.
Rest:
- Allow time to wind down and rest after school
- Early nights are a must during this time
Emotional needs
Making friends:
- Remember being alone is very scary
- Invite classmates home to play
- Birthday parties are great
Missing mum or dad:
- Introduce whole day separation before school starts
- Don't lie about when you'll be back
- Never be late picking your child up from school.
Fear:
- Try to find out the cause without enlarging the problem
- Tell the teacher, he/she may be able to help
- Give strategies to your child that do not involve violence
- Be a classroom helper or a school helper
- Be positive about school – Do not pass on your fears to your child
- If your child is being bullied, let the school know
- Always encourage your child to seek the teacher's help
Independence:
- Let your child make some of his/her own decisions
- Give your child some responsibility relevant to his/her age
- Give your child ownership & responsibility for his/her own belongings
Academic needs
Literacy:
- Read to your child every night. Use varying text
- Let your child read to you
- Talk and listen to your child – have fun conversations with him/her
- Accept that your child at this stage will make mistakes – be aware that this is how he/she will learn
- Take your child to the library
- Encourage your child to retell stories & sequence stories
- Sing and chant with your child
- Have lots of scrap paper and pencils for your child to draw & tell stories
- Encourage your child to "write" using whatever symbols he/she is capable of writing
- Write messages to each other, have fun!
Numeracy:
- Don't worry about writing numbers
- Let your child practice counting and counting out objects
- Provide opportunities for your child to use numeracy language – all, many, more, less
- Play card games
General
Some general points to help your child transition to kindergarten:
- Children need your positive involvement. The models you provide and the values you install during these early formative years become the building blocks for the learning that will occur at school.
- Remember to have fun with y our child. Enjoy your child. Spend quality time with your child.
- Play with your child.
- Give your child real experiences and talk about these experiences with your child.
- Involve your child in any orientation program implemented by your school.