7 Ways to Help Your Child Transition to Kindergarten

WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN 1 ROLE PLAY Use stuffed animals or puppets to act out going to kindergarten for the first time Show how the “actors" transition into their new space and adjust Act out different emotions such as fear, excitement, and nervousness 2. VISIT Find out if your child's school offers visiting days during the summer Go in and meet your child's teacher and maybe even some new classmates 1. Take a look at a day's schedule and show your child what to expect at school 3 PLAY You may be able to get a list of your child's new classmates Call other parents to set up a playdate so your children get to know each other Having familiar faces can help ease the transition to kindergarten 4 TALK Ask your child how he or she is feeling about going to kindergarten Allow plenty of time to talk about his or her feelings, and take them seriously Be positive about the transition, even if you are also feeling some anxiety SHARE If you have older children, ask them to share a few happy kindergarten memories This can help reassure your younger child if he or she is nervous Older siblings can show younger ones that there is nothing to be afraid of READ Find books about starting kindergarten and read them together Knowing that others have felt the same way can help your child feel less alone Your child will see that kindergarten is exciting and full of new experiences ORGANIZE Establish a routine before the first day of kindergarten Read a book together before bed, and set out the next day's clothes A routine will alleviate some of the potential stress of attending a new school PROVIDED BY: EAGLES wwW.CAMPBELLCHRISTIANSCHOOLS.COM SOURCES: https://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/transitioning-kindergarten http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/12-ways-to-help-a-child-make-the-transition-to-kindergarten-201308166611 http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Leaming/Family-Learning-Tips-and-Tools/Helping-Your-Child-Make-Successful-Transitions-Hom