SHARK BITES – Transitioning Your Child to Kindergarten
“Big Kid School” 2015
It’s that time of the year when children are embarking on entering school for the very first time in their life. It can be a hard transition for any child and parent. After all, it’s a new experience for both. Even if you have gone through this before with another child— every child’s experience is different. Needless to say, separation anxiety can be very high. However, there are ways to combat it and bring harmony and memories for this very important day.
Familiarize Your Child’s New Environment
It may be a great strategy for you to prepare your child, as soon as possible. This can alleviate the anxiety you both are feeling. Before the new school year begins, bring your child to the school on different occasions, to get acquainted with the teacher, classroom (seat, cubby), and activities (games, puzzles, books etc.) Children pick up on parent’s anxieties. Therefore, try and stay calm during the process, to allow your child to have a smooth transition on their inevitable first day of school. If you show your child that you trust the teacher, they will pick up on it, and hopefully follow suit, as well. The more you know about the teacher and classroom schedule, the better you are prepared to help your child. Start a countdown two weeks before the first day. This will help get your child mentally prepared for “BIG KID SCHOOL”! Hype up the conservation about the school to your child, and how cool the teacher is. Show your child the playground, and let him/her know how much fun he/she will have at playtime.
Minimize the Tears
Reading books about the first day of school with your child can help bring a clearer idea of what your child can expect. Here is a list of several books to choose from to help you in this transition.
Children tend to cry more when placed in an environment they are not accustomed to. To help keep the tears away, or at least to the very minimum, have your child bring a stuffed animal, blanket, or other item that the teacher approves of. If the tears flow for the first week or two, don’t get discouraged. Have a routine in place (cuddle time, read a quick book, tell a joke or two— to ease your child’s fears). Slowly, your child will fall into place with you leaving them.
Time to Leave
Never sneak out without saying goodbye, as it will leave a distrust between you and your child. When it’s time to say goodbye to your child, make sure you say it quickly and leave immediately afterwards. Why make more of a problem than necessary? If you stay after saying it, it will cause confusion. Make sure your child knows you will see him/her later and that you love him or her.
Prep with Fun!
Try purchasing school supplies and clothes together. Even 5- year olds have fashion styles. 😉 If you still are struggling with your child having issues daily. Try to implement a reward system where each day that your child has a good school day (no tears, tantrums etc.), reward him/her by giving daily stickers. If your child gets all five for the week, reward him or her with ice cream, a movie, favorite snack etc.
Positive Reinforcements/Tackling Issues
Talk to your child about making new friends. Ask them how their day went and what new activities he/she learned. Ask what your child’s favorite part of the day is. Show your curiosity and always sound like you’re enthused in what your child tells you about what was done in class.
Reassure your child that he/she can talk to you about an anything that happens at school. When you pick our child up, utilize this time to connect and find out how his/her day went. If you are unable to do so, ask them during a relaxed time like at bath time, snack time, or even bedtime. Try not to ask questions that will give a full answer instead of a simple yes or no. For example:
- What did you read today?
- Who did you sit next to during snack time?
- What was your favorite part about school today?
- Did you make a new friend today?
- Who is your buddy?
Back Down Memory Lane
Your child will get a kick out of hearing stories of when you were young and went to school. If you have old pictures to share, this would make for a great bonding experience, while reminiscing of days gone by. Talk about your first teacher and what you remember liking about that person. Also, if you can remember any games you played back then, share and teach to your child.
Neighborhood Watch
Perhaps making a few playdates prior to school beginning with any neighborhood children and their parents with you and your child, will help your child get familiarized with other schoolmates in the same boat.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Clearly, you cannot rely on the teacher to teach your child everything. Parents and teachers should always work together for the best interest of any child. If you as a parent teach your child a few basic things for school preparedness, it will help the transition and the teacher. Try and teach your child these few steps as follows:
- How to listen and be quiet
- How to sit still
- How to go to the bathroom and wash hands afterwards
- How to put his/her coat on and fasten
- Know how to spell/recognize his/her name on belongings. (SN: Parent make sure all your child’s belongings are labeled.)
A Few Days Before School Begins
The clock is ticking and the time is drawing near for your child’s first day school. Create a sense of positive feelings and don’t bring up anything negative from your childhood that you remember. The key is to keep your child stress-free and happy.
Remind your child when you will be arriving to pick him/her up. If your child has to wonder all day long when you’re picking them up, they won’t be focused on learning, but focused on worrying when they will see you again.
P.S. Don’t forget to take a picture of your child’s first day of school. Start a memory book for the school year and let that be the very first entry. =)
“Don’t sink with the fishes. Be the consumer in the know!”
~Sharky
What is “Shark Bites”? Shark Bites is a money-saving tips series here on FreebieShark that aims to help you and your family get the most out of your money. “Shark Bites” posts are both educational and straight to the point. Just another way FreebieShark is helping you save!
