How To Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten
If you plan on registering your child for kindergarten soon, there are several “best practices” you can follow to prepare your child for school ahead of time. This article will go over some general guidelines you can follow to prepare your child for Kindergarten.
Reading Routines
To build literacy and language skills, we encourage parents to establish a reading routine with their children. Decide on a scheduled reading time, and sit down with your child to read for 20 minutes at that time each day to build strong reading habits.
Reading time can be at bedtime or any other time of the day. The most important thing is that it becomes a part of your daily routine. This will ensure that your child gets regular practice and makes consistent progress.
To make reading a fun and exciting activity that your child looks forward to, we recommend letting them choose which book they would like to read! Allowing children to decide which book they want to read will make them feel like reading is their own voluntary choice, rather than a chore imposed upon them. As such, they tend to be more engaged and less resistant when reading time comes around.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Having a good bedtime routine is essential to your child getting a good night’s sleep so that they can feel rested and recharged the next day. By having a specific bedtime every night, your child’s circadian rhythms will adjust to their sleep schedule, and they will naturally feel sleepy when it comes time to go to bed.
We suggest following a predictable order of activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath, putting on pajamas, brushing and flossing teeth, and then reading a bedtime story. No matter what bedtime activities you choose, consistency is key, and your child will start to associate this routine with sleep, which will make it much easier when you put them to bed.
Create a Learning Space
We suggest creating a learning space, a designated place where your child can complete assignments, focus on projects, and study for your child within your home.
Making your child’s learning space fun and inviting will make them excited to go there. Allow your child to decorate the space with their drawings, favorite stuffed animals, etc., to make it feel more inviting — as long as it does not distract from their studying!
Remove Distractions
It is important to remove potential distractions from your child’s learning space so that they can focus. If your child has a phone or tablet, ask them to turn it off while in the learning space, and make sure the TV is off too.
Also, ensure that siblings and other family members know not to interrupt them while they are in the learning space. If you have pets that could be distracting, consider keeping them out of the area when learning is in session.
Establish Good Homework/Study Habits
It is helpful to establish good study habits before your child begins kindergarten. Teachers will often assign worksheets, reading, and/or crafts to make at home, and your child will be prepared to complete assignments at home if a homework/study routine is established beforehand.
Start by working with your child on an age-appropriate activity, such as writing their ABCs, making crafts, or teaching them how to spell basic words!
Encourage Play Time & Mental Breaks
With young children, it is especially important to set aside time for breaks. Meal breaks, playtime, and exercise breaks outdoors are great ways to help your child stay fresh and alert for their learning sessions.
Go Shopping for School Supplies
When it is time to go shopping for school supplies, take your child on a trip to the store with you and allow them to pick out their own supplies. Including your child on this school shopping trip makes it a fun adventure for them, and they will be excited to use their new equipment on their first day of school!
Always Ask Them About Their Day
It is important that you sit down with your child every day after school to discuss how their day went and listen to them. This quality time is important for your child’s development and should not be neglected. It shows them that you care about being involved in their school life and gives them the opportunity to confide in you and get your guidance if they need it.
Kindergarten Enrollment At The Vanguard School
If you are considering enrolling your child in kindergarten at The Vanguard School, or if you have any additional questions and would like more information, please call our Enrollment Office at (719) 471-1999 x101. We look forward to hearing from you!
