What can I do this summer to prepare my son for kindergarten?

Question

My son will be beginning kindergarten this fall. I would like him to be as prepared as possible. He has attended pre-k this past year for 2hr each morning, but K will be all day. I feel he is prepared academically but would like to ease the transition for him. What were some books you read, activities you did to prepare your kiddos for Kindergarten? If you could go back in time and do something different to better prepare them what would it be?

Thanks for all your advice!

Answer 1

If you know who is teacher is already you can go meet that person this year maybe once or twice. That way on the first day he will not be scared of the person in charge. Perhaps the teacher will even let you sit and observe with your son for a few minutes and your son can see what the other children do. Some schools also have a Kindergarten orientation for children and parents where the children can interact with their future peers. In most all day programs there is a nap time in the afternoon (usually after lunch) so your son will probably get some down time. You could also ask the teacher on a visit the types of words she puts on her word wall (most teachers have them) and you can make your own word wall at home so your child will be comfortable with the idea of seeing those words everyday. Best of luck to you and I hope some of these activities help!

Answer 2

I worked in a kindergarten classroom last year. The biggest thing I wished parents worked on was independence. The teacher will take your child where he needs to be academically. We had problems with students calling us from the bathroom telling us they were done. We had students that couldn't open their snacks. We had students that couldn't blow their noses and  fasten their clothes. These are things that you may assist your child with before you even think about it.

Answer 3

One thing I'd recommend is for you to contact the teachers now and find out the Schedule for a normal day in K.  Is there a nap time?  When's lunch / snacks?  Whatever you learn, try putting him on the same schedule now so he won't want to party during quiet time or eat during fingerpainting.  Have fun!  Rick

Answer 4

I like the Berenstein Bears go to School.  Is he going to a full day kindergarten program?  If so, try to stay as busy as possible to build up his physical stamina.  I also started enforcing a 15 minute minimum on certain activities to give my son a better idea how the school runs.  And keep in mind, even children whose parents do nothing to prepare them make the transition within a month or so.  Relax, don't make a big deal of it yourself (even positive attention to going to Kindergarten can be stressful) and he'll stay relaxed and have a great time!

Answer 5

Your probably more scared about it than he is. As long as he knows how to share, play nice and be polite towards other kids and adults you shouldn't have a problem. Over the summer how about taking him to story time at your local library? You can see how he interacts with others, plus he'll be around kids his age.

Answer 6

I had your same concerns a year ago.  Here's what I've learned:  If you talk about it too much, it might add to your child's anxiety.  I wouldn't read tons of books with your son about starting Kindergarten.  Some of them go on and on about how everyone feels afraid the first day, and how you're sure to miss your mommy, but you'll see her at the end of the day, how mommy's feel sad too when you get on the bus, etc. etc.  To me, this just brings up fears that your son may or may not have.  Make going to Kindergarten seem normal - rather than reading lots of books on the topic.

Yes, visiting the playground over the summer is great.  Our school does give out phone numbers of other parents until your child actually starts school.  But if yours does - calling other moms can't hurt.  But I wouldn't start calling teachers - you'll seem like a needy mom and you don't want that reputation already.

The best advice I can give you is to make sure your child gets enough sleep.  Start this over the summer.  These kids seem to need a good 10-12 hours of sleep to do well in all day Kindergarten.  Teachers told us they can always tell which kids are going to bed at 7:30 and which ones up are til 11:00.

He'll do great, I"m sure.  I worried about Kindergarten for a full year before my little one started.  Now I just laugh at myself for being so uptight about it!  (not that you are - that's just me)

Answer 7

Well you have to teach your son a lesson on discipline. First punch him in the eye then kick him in the shin. Then he will be plenty ready for kindergarten.

                                                         LOL

Answer 8

You can play on the kindergarten playground over the summer.  You can ask the school for a class list, call some of the parents who will be in his class, and arrange some playdates over the summer so he will have some familiar faces when he gets to school.  Most schools also have some sort of visiting day when you can go meet the kindergarten teacher.  At our school, you can also go in the summer and wander the halls with your kindergartener.  We played scavenger hunts where we had to find the gym, the music room, the office, the kindergarten bathrooms, the monkey bars, etc.....

As summer starts winding down, try to get him on the going to bed/ wake up schedule he'll be on when he's at school (you can also have lunch/ snack around the same time as school, too).  You can sometimes "pack" him a lunch in a lunchbox so he gets used to all the zippers and bags and stuff.  

There are lots of good books about the transition to school.  Try some of the Kevin Henkes books (Wemberly Worried; Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse), or the Kissing Hand for starters.  Your public library probably even has a recommended book list of other good suggestions about transitioning to school.

Answer 9

All I did was practice the ABC's and 123's with my kids. I aslo practiced adding and subtracting by using food (like cookies and lolipops).

Answer 10

Have you been to an orientation program yet? I found that it was extremely helpful for my kids to meet the teacher and see the classroom they'll be in.  It's typically only about 15 minutes, but your son will be able to check out all the cool stuff in his classroom and it will become something to look forward to instead of dread. And when you get home, be really positive about everything he saw and make it seem like a really fun adventure (which it will be!)

Also, let him have a new backpack and lunchbox. Take him when you go shopping and let him pick out his own school supplies and clothes (obviously, within a range of things you have pre-approved). If he has a say in his supplies etc, he will be really excited to actually go to school and use it all.

Academically, he can never be overprepared. Go to Barnes and Noble and buy Kindergarten Preparation books and have him do a little every day. Also, educational websites that will cover the curriculum material are very helpful. I have found www.iknowthat.com to be especially helpful with my own kids and they are in grades 2 and 4.

Don't overlook the importance of reading to him every day. It's extremely important and even though we all get bored silly reading the same story twenty times a night, the payoff is huge!

The transition really is all about making him feel as comfortable as possible in this new phase of his life. But remember to keep it balanced! He has to feel like he's a big boy now and can do things (like be away from home full day) that he didn't do before, but don't make him feel like he has to grow up too fast either!

I'm sure all go well with you're son. Good luck to you both!

Answer 11

We used software for kids, Dr Suess and Jumpstart.  Also there are some lap tops that are made by Vetech toys.  They were great helpers.  Good Luck.