Ways to Help Your Child Get Ready for Kindergarten

  • K Kindle kindergarten excitement. Visit the school and playground. Allow your child to use scissors and glue. Expose your child to different art materials – playdough, watercolors, markers, colored chalk and crayons. Consider giving art supplies as gifts.
    I Invite friends to play and help your child build strong friendships. Consider leaving your child with friends, relatives and sitters so he/she will get used to being away from you.
    N Never forget safety. Teach your child safety rules for the bus and the playground. Teach your child their last name, street address and caregiver phone number(s) with the area code.
    D Discuss what your child will be learning in school – colors, numbers, shapes and letters. Teach your child to recognize and write their name using uppercase and lowercase letters. Ask your child to draw pictures that tell stories. 
    E Explore your neighborhood together. Talk about the world we live in.
    R Review the good behavior expected of your child – following rules, listening and taking turns.
    G Get involved at your child’s school. Attend school events. Join the PTO. Volunteer if you can.
    A Answer your child’s questions about school. Reassure your child that school is great.
    R Read aloud with your child daily. Visit the public library! Borrow books with audiotapes, use a computer educational website or download a reading app so your child can listen independently. Bring books whenever traveling or waiting since they help to pass the time. Consider giving books as gifts.
    T Turn every day into a learning experience. Work on teaching your child to tie shoelaces, button, snap and zip. Allow your child to dress independently. Let your child help with everyday chores. Provide your child with more responsibilities and ways to become more independent and organized.
    E Encourage good healthy habits – eating well, getting enough sleep, bathing and brushing teeth.
    N Notice the new things that your child is learning to do. Praise your child’s efforts, not just the results. Remember that your child is unique and will develop at their own pace, regardless of same-aged peers. Most important, enjoy your child and have fun with the learning, development and growth process.

Additional Links for Kindergarten Preparation

A Typical Day in Kindergarten

  • This is a brief overview of a typical day in Kindergarten. Activities may be in different order depending on the school, the daily activities, and time of year. The schedule is developmentally appropriate for Kindergarten children. Throughout the day, students are given several opportunities to learn, explore, create, manipulate and question through meaningful activities. The goal is for each child to learn and to be challenged at their own individual level.

    Morning Meeting
    Greetings, lunch count, attendance, opening exercises, overview of daily schedule, morning message, calendar, weather, math practice, songs, poems, etc.

    Language Arts
    Reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing (whole, small, and individual group instruction)

    Guided Centers / Guided Reading
    Small group instruction and activities at differentiated levels;
    Emphasis placed on working together with others and teamwork.

    LUNCH

    RECESS
    Unstructured socialization and gross-motor activities

    Specials
    Art, Music, Gym, or Library

    Quiet Time
    Read-alouds, individual book time, and/or relaxing music

    Math
    Use of manipulatives in whole, small, and individual instruction

    Science / Social Studies
    Hands on activities, exploring/observing and recording of findings

    Snack
    Bathroom break and socializing with friends

    Choice Activities
    Explore classroom centers independently or with other children

    Closing Meeting
    Discuss day, song & story time, pack-up, prepare for dismissal