Fun Suggestions for First Child Entering Kindergarten

Hye J.,

My son went to kindergarten last year. I was sad. But I went to the bus stop with him and we followed the bus to school and took him into his class. Then I met him at the bus stop after school. I always ask him how his day was. I also was Head Room mother so I was always helping out when needed. Just stay involved when ever you can. My son is already asking me if I am going to be in his class this year. I hope to stay involved. I take my youngest with me to most things. Field Trips I usually leave him with my sister in law. But MY oldest really likes me to be there when I can. I am also a stay at home mom. M.

Have you ever heard of the book called "The Kissing Hand" book? I think that is what it is called. It is about a mother racoon sending her child to school for the first time. I used this book when my youngest entered school. It was really hard, the separation for us both. But this book worked wonders and kept us connected through out the day. Good Luck!
Maria

Hi J.,
My name is M. and i have 2 boys, one of them is 1 yr and the other is 3, i know exactly how u feel. My 3 yr. old is entering pre-school this August. What i have been trying 2 do is take him 2 the park, read to him at night tell him about his new school and take him to the orientation so that he can get 2 know his teacher. tell him that he is going to make new friends and that its ok 2 be a little scared. I think communication even if you think they dont understand, is the most important thing. What i would also do is have an art project for him to work on, and try to get his excited about starting school.
Hope I was of somewhat help.
M.

When my daughter started kindergarten last year what we did was traced a picture of our hands (yours and yours son's). You would keep your son's hands and he can keep yours in his backpack or pocket so that your hand is always with him during the day. It seemed to help my daughter and it really helped me out. I work full time but I did take that day off work to be at home just in case she needed me and when I picked her up from school she was fine. I think I was the one that was more upset over it then her.

Good luck!
K.

I am also a stay at home mom and when my daughter was in kindergarten as soon as we got home from school we would sit on the couch next to each other and she would explain all the days papers and what she did. She is in 2nd grade now and we still do it. It is a great way to just have time together and know what is going on in her day. If we had some place to go right after school I always take a few minutes and pull in to the parking lot and do it in the car. You will be amazed at how much they grow in kindergaten. Good luck

Take pictures of your son in his first day of school outfit a day or two early. That way you will get nice relaxed pictures. Not rushed, stressed out pictures the morning of school.

My daughter is entering Kindergarten this year as well but I put her in preschool for the past 2 years and what we did is I would take her in and hug her let her get used to her surroundings and find her name in the classroom then I would have her sit down and play something after she was used to it and i would tell her to give me a hug and i would leave

First, an idea for getting him ready for school- let him choose his backpack, lunchbox, and first outfit. It helps them to take ownership of the day. Also, be sure to attend your schools registration day (usually about a week before school starts) so that he can see his classroom and meet his teacher. Also, Sesame Street has a great parents page with ideas and articles (http://www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/solutions/school/) and there is a link to a little online cartoon for your son to watch.

About staying connected to your son... That is a hard one. Typically I ask my kids what they did that day and I get "nothing". (They were in Kindergarten and 1st grade last year.) I started asking them what the best part of their day was, that gets an answer sometimes. The best thing I found was to play a 2 and 1 game. I have to tell them 3 things about my day- 2 true and 1 false. After they guess what my false is, they tell me their own 2 and 1. It really got them to tell me things they did during the day without realizing they were answering the question I'd been asking every other day! It's great!

Another thing we like to do it walk to and from school when the weather permits. I don't know if this is an option for you, but if it is, it's so worth getting up 15 minutes early!

And, one more thing- (I could write you a book!) I really think it benefits the kids if the parents are active in the school. PTA, planning special events with teachers, etc. It helps you know what is going on, you get to meet teachers so you know who to request for a teacher next year, and you're more likely to hear about what is going on in the days!
Good luck!

Take a picture of you and him together and have it "go with him" so when he is feeling a little "blue" he can take the pic out and look at it - worked wonders with my eldest and make sure the teachers know that he has it.

What a fun and scary day for a mom, while you are so proud and nervous, they are excited and nervous too. I took pictures of my son getting on and off the bus for his first day of kindergarten and made snack time when he got home just mom and son time. He enjoyed telling me all about his first day as a "big" boy. He is now going into fifth grade and really likes looking back at those pictures.

my daughter starts kindergarden this year to. we have been telling her how much fun it will be to get her excited about it. her birthday is right after christmas so we threw her a going to school party and invited family only. we had cake and everything and did it all in a school theme. everyone who came brougt new school clothes and school supplies for gifts and she absolutely loved it and it gave everyone on both side of our family happy. she is the first grandbaby so it is a big deal that she is starting school!! and they all want to be involved. it also helped us on the cost of everything. hope this helps.
k

How exciting for him and how bitter sweet for you. Our schools system like many other I am sure have an orientation or open house a few days before school that way the kids get an idea of what it will be like.

We alway send a few pictures of family in a zip lock bag. That way they can look at you when they miss you. My older daughters now buy a magnetic picture frames for thier school lockers for family pictures it has become that much of a family tradition.

Biggest thing is don't let him see you cry. Put a big smile on your face and after the bus is out of sight you can fall apart.
Congratulations on this big step.

hi J. my daughter is going into first grade this year. kindergarden was vey scary for me but not her. pre-k the four year old program was frightening for the both of us. the only thing that easised both our fears was my dear aunt she first told avie my daughter about all the fun things she would be learning like mommy does (i was still in college during this) so my daughter was interested in learning. and for me my dear aunt was there keeping me company for those 4 dreadful hours away from my daughter. if it wasnt for her i would of stayed in my car crying for four hours. so surround yourself with family and let your child know about the joys of learning.

When my daughter entered Kindergarten, I was devistated. So we had a special pancake breakfast together before school every Wednesday ( she went to afternoon Kindergarten). We also developed rituals together like- every Monday I would let her stay at the school playground with me for a half hour. I would just push her on the swings and we would talk and talk.

I also volunteered, which the teacher really appreciated. I would often staple papers, run copies, set up snacks, etc. It was a great way to listen in and see what was going on in her new little world. Since you are a stay-at-home mom you will be able to take her on field trips and be there at all the holiday parties. Be a room mom if possible. I met so many new friends by staying involved. Playdates are also great. Take turns with other parents and it is a nice break for you too!

Has anyone mentioned reading "The Kissing Hand" before bed the night before the first day of school. Or even the morning of. I am not sure who the Author is but my son's teacher read it the first day of school and recommended the parents read it to them before they come to shcool. It's a great book.

Hi J.,
What an exciting time for your son. I'm sure you're expressing what a wonderful experience this will be for him so he catches your enthusiasm. I prepared my kids for each day for reminding them that I'd be anxious to hear what they liked best, who their new friends were, etc. That seemed to keep them aware that even though we were temporarily apart, mom was still thinking about them.
I'm curious to know what your home business is if you don't mind sharing it with me.
S.

I volunteered in my daughter's kindergarten class. The teachers can always use the help and it let my daughter know that her education is important to me. It also helped let her know that I was keeping tabs on what she was doing in school. I mostly worked with the kids one on one while the teacher was teaching her lessons. I enjoyed it and I really think it made my daughter feel safer and more confident.

Hi, J.. I have a couple of suggestions for your first child going into Kindergarten. My daughter is starting first grade this year and these worked well for us last year.

1. Prepare lunch together. We would pack her lunch together the night before and store it in the fridge so we could just grab it and go in the morning. I would give her a few choices (baloney or PB&J, carrot sticks or a fruit cup, etc.) and she would pick what she wanted. She felt she had more control over her lunch, while I had the final say as to what actually went to school with her. It's also a good time to start discussing healthy food choices and why certain foods are good or bad. Occasionally, I would put a note or a small treat in her lunch when she wasn't looking and she would comment on the surprise when she came home!

2. Pick out clothing the night before. It helps to avoid fights when clothing options are agreed upon the night before and also to prevent delays when the child is resistant to getting up in the morning.

3. Schedule "homework time" together. You know your child best, so pick a time when you both can concentrate on homework. My daughter did best just after she got home from school. You have the advantage of knowing what your child is studying and your child gets the advantage of having an involved parent.

4. "Pinky Promise." I asked my daughter every day to PROMISE to try her best and behave in a way that would make me proud. We would "shake" on the deal by linking our pinky fingers. It has evolved since last year, and she now just raises her pinky to me, as if waving, before she gets on the school bus.

Hope some of these ideas appeal to you. Best of luck to you and your Kindergartener!

Tracy

...Homeschool

www.hslda.com

The most wonderful chance I ever took. Tried public kindergarten, public kindergarten, took a chance and we are all so happy with the decision. I know it isn't for everyone. But the school thing... So many hours taken away in transportation and piddling around. The parent teacher has a very small class size with lots of one on one, high quality instruction that only takes a couple of hours a day for core academics...

wow I am in the same boat. My son will be starting kindergarten this year. I am not sure how he will act. we did get to visit the class and meet the teacher. I hope that happened with you. also maybe take him to the school playground I heard that would get them fimilar with theplace. I would keep talking it up saying how fun school is. have a good time with it this will be my baby going to school . I have 2 others older. so I have to savor it. bye

Hi J., I know it has taken a long time to respond, but have my hands full with 3 little ones, My oldest is 7, 4 and 1. My 4 yr old won't go to kinder, this year until next year, but I remember when my oldest went to school, and that was hard for me, because i was so used to her being there with me all time. When I was going to school and had to leave her at my sisters that was really hard to, and that was just my sisters house. They best advice I could give is don't let him see you cry, because then they won't want to stay and they will be scared. Let him know you will be back to pick him up, and then you will be able to spend the day with him. Show him it is fun and as long as he knows you are excited to see what he did in school, he will be happy. I think once he starts going you will eventually pick up your own routine whether it is letting him come home and watch his favorite cartoon having his favorite snack to playing his favorite game. eventually you will pick up a routine. good luck and best wishes.

J.,
On the first day of Kindergarden take a picture of him with a sign that says "First day of Kindergarden" and the date. You can do this every year on the first day of school! And when he graduates from high school, you can have a scrap book for him (and you!)

Have fun!
-S.