Did you know that nearly 50% of children aged 3 and 4 in the United States weren’t enrolled in preschool in 2019?
Since then, this number has increased due to the COVID pandemic. Parents have had to take off work and don’t want to expose their kids to germs, which is causing a delay in education.
If your child is passing their toddler years and you feel prepared to sign them up for classes, there are a few things to consider. Keep reading to discover how you can help your child get ready for kindergarten!
Reader's Roadmap
Give Them Space
Start by giving your child more chances to practice their independence and skills.
When your child starts going to school, they won’t have someone holding their hands every step of the way. The more independent your child can be with tying their shoes, going to the bathroom, and working, the better.
It’s okay if your child has a short attention span and finds ways to gravitate toward you. As you practice, they will get more comfortable tackling things on their own.
Set Routines & Follow Them
Kindergarten classes typically follow the same routine, every single day.
Children thrive off of routines. Knowing what to expect helps them understand boundaries and expectations. If you start practicing routines at home, around bedtime or meals, you can help them adjust to the classroom.
When you give directions to your child for their routine, keep tasks short and simple.
Read Daily
Reading to children has proven to help children with preschool development and beyond.
At an early age, children’s brains are like a sponge. Reading different books will expose them to your language and they can start forming sentences on their own.
Although your child may already be speaking, if they don’t get read to, they could quickly fall behind.
Practice Writing Their Name
In a kindergarten class, your child will get a chance to practice spelling their name.
It helps to teach them their name before classes start, however, so they aren’t overwhelmed. You can practice spelling your child’s name at a young age to start teaching them and when they get old enough, you can start writing.
Large, lined paper is recommended for practicing names since it helps guide them.
Make Play Dates
The pandemic babies are a special group of children that don’t have as much exposure to their peers.
As long as the other child(ren) is healthy, you can schedule play dates. These scheduled playtimes give children a chance to socialize and practice sharing. When they arrive at class, they will be surrounded by their peers and won’t be shy to make new friends.
Did You Get Ready for Kindergarten?
As a parent, you understand that success and happiness start at an early age.
By teaching your child the foundations, you can help them get ready for kindergarten. It’s a big step going from pre-k to kindergarten. Working with your little one can help you both feel prepared for the changes and make the most of the new surroundings.
Make sure you read our blog for more content about starting school and helping your child excel!