Worried about your child’s transition into Kindergarten?

I understand because I went through it with my daughters.

When kids start Kindergarten, there’s a lot of new experiences to absorb at once. And even though they will be okay, as moms, we want to make sure our kids have the smoothest transition into Kindergarten.

This article covers ways that you can help your child to get ready for Kindergarten as well as how you can make this transition easier for them. You will also find resources to help you out.

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How can I help my child transition into Kindergarten?

The following areas are a foundation of how quickly your child can adjust to Kindergarten.

Go through these areas and determine how prepared your child is in each of them. Identify the area or areas where your child needs more reinforcement and focus on those first.

Let’s get started…

Wait for their turn

Overall, this may be hard for kids to adjust to. There will be many times when kids will have to wait for their turn in Kindergarten.

Kids must wait for their turn to go to the bathroom, to use a swing on the playground, or to answer teacher’s questions.

The good news is that there are situations that should make this transition easier for Kindergartners.

That includes kids already attending a pre-School program or a structured daycare. Actually, that’s what I did with both of my daughters and I feel that they have benefited from it.

So, what can you do to help your kids wait their turn?

Here are some tips:

• Make them aware: Whenever your child interrupts during conversations, let him or her know what is expected.

• Play traditional board games: It’s a good way to have fun while it teaches kids to wait until it’s their turn again.

Follow instructions

Kindergarten is more structured to prepare kids for higher grade levels. Throughout the day, kids must follow several instructions to complete the tasks.

In my daughter’s school, following instructions is so important that it is part of the daily evaluation.

For example, my daughter has a folder that she brings back home every single day. That folder has a calendar that lets me know how she behaved that day.

Ways to reinforce this strategy at home:

• Playing games: Every game has directions that need to be followed in order to play. That’s why playing board games or any type of game will be beneficial for this too. In addition to the games suggested above, there are other games that can help your child following directions too.

• Activity books: These books normally include activities with instructions that the kid needs to follow. Plus, activity books such as color by number, help kids with other skills.

Listen to others

Developing good listening skills is something needed in Kindergarten and at any point in life too.

Plus, listening is also related to kids following instructions. For example, a kid that didn’t listen to the teacher’s instructions will probably have a harder time understanding and completing their work correctly.

It’s also important to listen to other kids’ points of view whenever they are working in teams or just having a normal conversation.

Tips to improve kids listening skills:

• Eye contact rule: Ask your child to make eye contact during any conversation. But, for this to work, every family member needs to do it too. Leading by example will help your child implement it faster.

• What was said: Since kids get easily distracted, asking them what was said help them pay attention next time. I still practice this one at home. Sometimes, my daughter realizes that she wasn’t paying, and I need to say it again, but I have seen her doing much better. Plus, rephrasing helps her put the information in her own words which is another skill they work on in Kindergarten.

• Red light, green light: My daughter loves to play this game. And it helps them with their listening skills as well as following instructions. So, that’s a win-win situation. Here is a great list with more fun game ideas.

Work well with others

Nowadays, Kindergarteners do more projects that involve working as a team. As you can understand, it is as hard for kids as it is for adults.

But, it’s important for kids to learn how to work together regardless of differences in personalities, interests, beliefs, etc.

That also includes sharing things with other kids. Because even though kids are asked to bring school supplies, they don’t last for the entire school year. At that point, kids need to share things like scissors, glue sticks, crayons, and pencils.

I also want to include helping others in here.

Kids should help each other no matter if it’s in the classroom, gym, or playground. It could be helping other kids clean up, getting up if they fall, or making them feel better if they look sad. And that’s why I like this book because it focuses on that.

How to be a better team player:

• Sports team: This one is the most common way to encourage working with others. If this is not an option, try the next one.

• Neighborhood Park: I often see kids playing football or soccer in the park or around the neighborhood. That’s an opportunity for kids to work on those social skills while playing.

• Help around the house: Kids always want to help. Involve them with any quick project or task in the house. Doing this has different benefits. They have a new experience, feel proud of themselves for helping, strengthen the relationship, etc.

• Siblings working together: As you already know, each of your kids has a different personality. Ask them to complete tasks together where they can get used to working with each other. You can even come up with a game where they will have to work together in order to succeed.

Respect others

No matter if a child is going to school or not, I feel that it’s absolutely important to teach our kids to respect others.

Several times, I have been in shock listening to my daughter’s stories about how some kids have responded to school personnel.

Normally, kids are reminded to respect their teacher. However, kids need to understand that respecting others applies to other school staff members.

When school starts, kids interact with their teacher as well as the principal, assistant principal, teachers, cafeteria workers, office managers, librarians, front office personnel, nurses, other teachers, and even substitutes.

How to encourage this behavior:

• Open communication: Let your child know every time he or she has good behavior. Or, a behavior that could improve.

• Get some related books: Read some books that cover this topic. I read this book with my daughter and she liked it. Discuss what happened in the story. Anything good? Bad? Any suggestions?

Quick Tip: Add these areas in a visual chart like this one and keep it in an area where your child can remember what is expected.

How can I make my child’s transition into Kindergarten easier?

Know what to expect

Give your child an idea of what to expect. That should make them feel more comfortable with the change and excited too.

Consider sharing good and funny memories of when you were in Kindergarten. How was your teacher? What was your favorite time? How did you make your first friend? Did you wear a uniform?

And if you have pictures, share them too! They will have fun learning about you and seeing you as a kid.

Develop a routine

As I mentioned earlier, Kindergarten provides a more structured environment for kids. Set different routines or schedules at home so they can get used to it. These routines can include times when they get up, eat, and go to bed.

It doesn’t have to be perfect and it’s understandable that it may vary some days, but overall, following a similar routine will help your child adjust faster.

Attend school activities

I know that you are a busy mom but try to do this one for sure.

Normally, schools like to have some activities before school starts. That gives your child an opportunity to get familiar with the school, teacher, staff, and even their future friends.

In my kids’ school, they have activities such as Kindergarten Roundup where the parents have a better idea of what to expect during the school year and how to partner with the teacher.

There’s also a Meet the Teacher which was the perfect time for my kids to start building a relationship with their teacher.

Also, check with your neighborhood. Every year, the communities around me organize activities for kids for upcoming Kindergarteners. It gives kids the advantage of already having friends whenever school starts.

Have fun getting the school supplies

I understand that you already have a busy schedule and it’s not fun to add more things to it…yet, going around buying school supplies.

But, making it a fun experience is something that will help your child be excited about the new school year.

Most of the times, I go to the stores by myself to finish faster. But when it’s time to get their school supplies, I go with my daughters. I let them choose the colors, styles, and designs that they prefer.

Make a big deal

When my daughters started Kindergarten, I had fears as you probably have them too. I needed the reassurance that they would be okay in the new environment.

After all, starting school is not just a change for kids but for parents too. That’s why it’s so important to keep a positive attitude towards the transition into Kindergarten.

If they see us sad, crying, or even annoyed by the change, that’s probably the reaction that they will adopt too.

Helpful Resources for You and Your Child

Game Board Ideas:

Candy Land Game: Princess Edition

Disney Theme Park Edition of Candy Land

Spiderman Chutes and Ladders

Disney Princess Surprise Slides

Activity Book Ideas:

Unicorn color by number

Boy’s First Color by Number

Rewards / Behavioral Chart Ideas:

Magnetic Reward Chart (Additional supplies included)

Magnetic Stars Reward Chart

Treasure Hunt Mini Reward Chart

Kindergarten, here I come!

Not only have you learned how to help your child with the transition into Kindergarten but also, you’ve learned how to make it easier for them too!

Remember, identify the areas that need improvement. After that, I would suggest focusing on one area at a time. In that way, you can determine which strategies are working better.

Speaking about strategies, which one will you implement first? Or, if you have a tip not included above, share it with us! Either way, leave a comment below.

The post How to Improve Your Child’s Transition into Kindergarten appeared first on Mom Succeeds.