My last article focused on preparing your child for preschool. That can be a scary experience if all the tools are not in place for this journey. Some children have already experienced preschool and are now ready to enter kindergarten. Many kindergarten placements are not in the same location as their preschool settings. That is why this experience has to be planned carefully. For some children, it will be like starting again. They may be in a new building with new teachers and a new group of students.

For those parents that have not registered their children for kindergarten, it is somewhat late. Many parents registered their children for kindergarten in May. Schools put out this information early because in many schools, there are only a few slots. Parents waited over night in some schools to make sure they were able to register their child. Some put out tents the day before (i.e. Ann St. School in Newark).

School starts the first day in September or the day right after Labor Day. There is a lot of work to be done if you need to register your child. Please remember that kindergarten is not mandatory in New Jersey. Also, spaces are limited. Already, you are working with some limitations. You cannot waste time. You must put together all your documents. If you did not register your child, you may want to check the date school starts. The dates are usually the first week in September and you must be there when the doors open. Some of documents you must have are 1) Birth certificate, 2) medical records that include vaccinations, 3) proof of address. You must bring the child to the nurse as part of the registration process. If the child does not see the nurse, the child cannot register. This is done for the safety of all children in the school.

It is important to communicate with the school. Schools are presently closed. Some open the last two weeks and administrators are available. You must check with the school first.

If you have completed the registration process and your child is accepted to the school, it is now important to prepare him/her emotionally for this educational journey. If the child attended preschool, it will be much easier because the child has already been exposed to a routine, teachers, peers, structured environment and demands placed by the teachers. If the child did not attend preschool, the experience will be a little more challenging. Talking about school in a positive way is a good strategy for helping a child become familiar with school expectations. Reading books about the first day is another way to help a child become comfortable about going to school. Maybe there are children in the neighborhood who attend the same school. Talking to their families and sharing experiences is good for the children and the parents. The more you help your child adapt to a new school, the easier it will be for everyone. When children experience anxiety about going to a new school, everyone in the family becomes affected.

Kindergarten has a structured method of working with the children. Like preschool, there is a schedule that all children follow. The schedule includes academics, play and structured learning activities. Children no longer take a nap as they do in preschool. That is different and most children feel the difference. Now, there is more concentration on learning the basics for reading, writing and arithmetic reasoning. Help your child by using everyday experiences to learn the basics. When you are walking, use everyday items in the environment to learn. What color is your dress? Show them objects and have them identify the purpose, the color, the letter it begins with. Using language to teach everyday experiences helps your child familiarize himself/herself with concepts, make connections and associations. These are important experiences that help a child in his/her developmental stage.

Emotionally, a routine must be established during the school year. This makes it easy for everyone. Children like to know what is happening next. Once they know the routine, they begin to make their experiences habits. They can develop good habits. They can develop bad habits. It is up to you to make that decision. Getting up and getting to school is one thing. What happens when the child comes home from school is another. Plan what the after school activities will be.  Get the child into the habit of taking off his school clothes. Putting them in their proper place is also important. Is there a snack? Is there play time? How much T.V. can be watched? What other activities are planned?

Bed time is now very important. If a child goes to bed late, they will be tired the next day. Is there play time? Children should go to bed between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Prepare their things the night before. This will make it easier for the next day. Connect with the teacher. Ask for a schedule. What are the discipline rules? You need to know so that when you are called, you know there is a good reason for being called. Always provide a phone number where you can be reached.

Enjoy the experience. It is a one-time experience that will not be forgotten. Good luck and have a good school year.

 

You can always write to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Attn: Dr. Mercedes Valle