My son is 5 and is starting Kindergarten in 15 days!

Question

Any tips or suggestions in getting him more prepared or for making the day special? Any advice on making the transition smooth? Also, is all day Kindergarten in your area also? (I live in MD)

Thanks for your input!

Answer 1

yes its almost all day kindergarten everywhere, but to git he prepared for his first day, just talk to him and  it would probly be better if you took him to school yourself,. but i know i cried like a baby my first day, but it just depends on how his personality is, some take it better than others. but im pretty sure he will do fine.. good luck!

Answer 2

I live in MA and there is full day kindergarten here that my son is starting September 2nd.  He is going on the 26th for orientation. The school bus is coming to pick him and daddy up, bringing them to school where daddy will go to parent's orientation, and my son will go to his class, meet his friends, etc.  Then the bus will bring them back home again.  My school system also did kindergarten camp in June where the kids went to school from 8:30-11.  They were broken into two groups of kids for a week each.  They went and did stuff that they will do in kindergarten, had fun, and got to know some new friends.  My son said that he hated it there, is scared to go to kindergarten, does not want to go etc.  He has a mood disorder so I know that things will be hard for him because he does not do well with any changes.  I am so worried about him, how he will do, if he will behave good, if he will be sad, worried, and whatever else he will be feeling.  I think this is normal for parents of any kids, not just special needs ones.  I posted a similar question a couple days ago.  Some answers I got to make the day go smoother were to send him with a picture of himself, me, and other family members; to send him with a picture note such as I heart U; to send him with a special book or a piece of a blankie... I hope this helps you.  I am going to try the picture idea.  My son misses me at preschool as well lately and gets sad.  To help him with this we got family pictures done for cheap at KMart.  I took a picture, punched a whole up top, and put some thick, strong string through to make a necklace.  He really likes this necklace and it makes him feel better.  

Answer 3

If you get him excited now about school he will be fine. Has he gone shopping with you and picked out his new backpack? Make sure he has a chance to meet his teacher if they have a open house before school make sure he goes.

My son went to all day kindergarten and loved it. he was not as rushed

or pressured to learn the same amount in half the time.

Answer 4

Take pictues with him and his back pack. Big boy new adventure. As for making it smoother on mom dont cry till you get back in car or he gets on bus, it's an exciting time for him. It's a heartbreaker for us mom's

Answer 5

my son will be 5yrs 5 months in September and he'll be starting formal schooling (grade 1).

kindergarten is fun - even if he cries maybe the first day or two, he'll realise that they play a lot and have lots of fun and he won't cry anymore. don't make a lot of fuss about it - because he'll feel anxious and afraid. just regard it as something normal.

remember to take a picture! it's nice to have a picture for the first day at kindergarten and grade 1, 2, 3, and so on. my sister has all the pictures of their first day at school of both her kids, the eldest in uni. i have my son's too. and when he got anxious from Kinder 1 to Kinder 2 i showed him the first picture, and reminded him that he was anxious the first time around as well, and then he made lots of friends, loved his new teacher etc... i intend to show him the pictures this time as well, though i'm a bit apprehensive because now it won't be all fun and play and i still feel that he's young for formal learning. but the system is like that over here (europeans).

Answer 6

my mom cried i rember. how about a day for yourself shopping and at the spa and remember all the good days

Answer 7

My daughter went to all day kindergarten last year, she just started 1st grade today.  On her first day daddy and I walked her to school, and into the classroom.  Helped her find her cubby,unload her backpack and meet the child she sat next too.  Then we hugged her and said we would pick her up after school.  It helped a lot she went to preschool for 2 years before hand and went to all day camp the last two months leading up to kindergarten.

Answer 8

I went to all day Kindergarten. My mom took me and walked me to my class, then talked with my teacher for a bit. I was fine. I wasn't a cryer. However, if your child is a cryer, don't worry. It'll break your heart, but give it a week or two, and they'll be excited to be going to school.

Answer 9

Just make sure he is comfortable with other kids and with being left alone in a strange place. Some kids have a major meltdown the first day but if they have attended preschool or daycare this might not happen. The best thing is just to talk about it like it's a good, positive thing and he'll be excited and want to go.

Tell him about all the toys, games, coloring, stories and whatever he is into. Get some older kids (this was usually me!) to play along with you if possible. Have them share fun school stories. If he is looking forward to it, then he is less likely to be scared. If he is looking forward to having a good story to share, he'll be more likely to go into it with a positive attitude too so he can come back and share with the big kids.  

Be sure to teach him the rules ahead of time (no hitting, pushing, throwing) but don't elaborate too much on scary consequences unless he asks. Whatever you do, understand that the first day can be hard and anything could happen so just be prepared. Also make sure he understands that he is only staying for a little while and maybe even give him a surprise to look forward to after his first day (i.e. we'll go get a toy or ice cream after school) so that way he knows something good is coming at the end no matter what happens. Reassure him that it's the beginning of something fun and that you will be waiting for him when the day is over. It may take some time but he'll do fine. This is indeed a very special day for any kid. Good luck to you both!

edit**I like the mom above who suggested shopping for school supplies. Kids LOVE this! What kid can resist cool pencil boxes, crayons, paper and folders with their favorite cartoons on them? This is a really helpful hint too!

Answer 10

My boy started kindergarden yesterday!  I was so worried, but he did SOO well.. the minute we got to the door he said bye mom gave me a hug and went in the classroom an immediatly started talking to another little boy.  I was more nervous then him!  Im in AZ and it is an all day kindergarden.  He was a bit cranky about an hour after he got home, and kept dozing off.. so im sure the all day had an effect on him, but he will get used to it.  He enjoyed his day and said he wants to go back tomorrow :)    I took him out to lunch and talked about what he did in school.   Its funny, in our eyes they are still babies, but most 5 year olds are very willing to sit and learn.   I let him pick out his backpack and school supplies and his new shoes and clothes.. i made sure to take aot of pictures with his "big boy" backpack.   GL an congrats!! its so exciting!

Answer 11

Just make sure he has fun, that is all that matters.