There are a variety of things that should be considered when preparing a child to start school. The two main categories that things fall under are typically the expectations the school holds towards what each child knows before starting school and how to deal with separation. First I'll go over some of the basic requirements that most schools adhere to then I'll move on to the separation issue.
What do schools expect of a Kindergarten bound child and how to get to that point
Although different schools may have different guidelines there are several expectations that are pretty typical throughout all schools.
Social skills
Socially your child will need to be willing to listen to an adult and follow directions. Don't be alarmed if your child doesn't always listen as well as you'd like. Most times kids will listen to someone other than Mom and Dad at least a little better. Also teachers and helpers expect kids this age to need a little further direction and help staying focused at times. However it is expected and highly important that your child be able to play and cooperate well with other children. This means no biting or hitting, having the ability to share and being able to work with others to get a job done.
Intellectual skills
Intellectually most schools expect children to be able to hold a book and turn the pages properly. They also want them to have an interest in books and show at least a little interest in reading. If your child pretends to read and write that is great, as it leads them straight into actually learning how. You can encourage the desire to read by reading to your child regularly and reading yourself. Even if it's your favorite magazine or newspaper, it doesn't matter what your reading as long as you read something and your children see you do it. To encourage your child to want to write a great game we play is kitchen (sometimes it's called restaurant). With a notepad and pencil ask your child what they want to order, write it down (even scribbles is good to show them what you expect them to do) then pretend to make the food and give them the "invisible food" or plastic food if you have that. This also ties into the need for your child to know how to use pens, pencils and crayons for school.
Knowing some songs and rhyming is another thing that is generally expected. Many children already know some children's songs but if your child is unfamiliar try teaching songs like the itsy bitsy spider, marry had a little lamb and other songs you may remember from your childhood. Rhyming can be easily taught by simply rhyming during your normal speech throughout the day. Simple things like "We're at the store, we get in through the door" or "Here's your cup, drink it up". Make sure to put a little extra umph on the rhyming words. You can even challenge yourself and say one word and see how many rhyming words you can think of. I like to do this with my kids names too, for instance Malorie, Calorie, Salary or Jarett, Ferret, Carrot (said with carret since I'm from the south).
Schools also like for children to recognize a variety of different things, like signs and labels that are commonly encountered. Recognizing letters is also something desired, specifically the letters in their name. To help a child recognize the letters in their name you can write them on a paper and have you child try to copy them, use flash cards or what I've found very helpful is to use a computer. To use a computer type the letters of their name on the screen (big letters are best for beginners) then have them try to find the letters and type it themselves. It is often easier for children to learn one letter at a time, for instance my daughter's name is Malorie so I started with M, pointing out the letter on buildings and signs and telling her "Hey there's an M for Malorie". Once they recognize one letter move on to the next and progress until they can recognize all the letters in their name. Another thing that is expected is that children be able to retell experiences, stories and communicate needs.
Health and Personal Care
As far as health it is expected that your child have regular checkups and dental appointments also that they are up to date on immunizations and medical care when sick. It is also expected that your child will eat at regular times throughout the day and get an adequate amount of sleep each night. For personal care they want children to be able to blow their nose, cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and wash hands. Also they prefer children that have no physical impairments to be able to remove and put on jackets, zip, snap, button and belt themselves, eat unassisted and recognize their own belongings.
Separation
When it's time to send your child off to school there is often a bit of separation anxiety, whether this is on the part of child or parent. This is to be expected and can be helped. If your child has regularly attended daycare or preschool it may not be as big of an issue but if not it could be a big problem if not prepared for. To help relieve some of this anxiety you can gradually start leaving the child with someone they know but are not around on a regular basis (you will want to make sure this is someone you can trust). Start by just running to the gas station for a drink or to do some other task that will only take a few minutes. Gradually increase the amount of time away from the child. Doing this can really help to make your child feel more comfortable with you leaving, helping them to realize that you will be back. It can also help you to get used to not having your child in tow all the time. Actually going to school may be a little harder, most schools offer a time to come meet the teachers and see the class room and possibly other classmates before school starts. This helps so that the child is not going to spend the day with someone they have never met, in a place they have never been. Another great thing is that many schools welcome parents in the classroom. On the first day or couple days, spend a little extra time with your child in the classroom before leaving. Another great way to help your child feel comfortable and confident throughout their school life is to volunteer in the class. This can be done on a regular basis or for special occasions like holiday parties.
I hope that you find these tips helpful in getting your child and yourself ready for when the time comes to start the schooling experience.
Schools also like for children to recognize a variety of different things, like signs and labels that are commonly encountered. Recognizing letters is also something desired, specifically the letters in their name. To help a child recognize the letters in their name you can write them on a paper and have you child try to copy them, use flash cards or what I've found very helpful is to use a computer. To use a computer type the letters of their name on the screen (big letters are best for beginners) then have them try to find the letters and type it themselves. It is often easier for children to learn one letter at a time, for instance my daughter's name is Malorie so I started with M, pointing out the letter on buildings and signs and telling her "Hey there's an M for Malorie". Once they recognize one letter move on to the next and progress until they can recognize all the letters in their name. Another thing that is expected is that children be able to retell experiences, stories and communicate needs.
Health and Personal Care
As far as health it is expected that your child have regular checkups and dental appointments also that they are up to date on immunizations and medical care when sick. It is also expected that your child will eat at regular times throughout the day and get an adequate amount of sleep each night. For personal care they want children to be able to blow their nose, cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and wash hands. Also they prefer children that have no physical impairments to be able to remove and put on jackets, zip, snap, button and belt themselves, eat unassisted and recognize their own belongings.
Separation
When it's time to send your child off to school there is often a bit of separation anxiety, whether this is on the part of child or parent. This is to be expected and can be helped. If your child has regularly attended daycare or preschool it may not be as big of an issue but if not it could be a big problem if not prepared for. To help relieve some of this anxiety you can gradually start leaving the child with someone they know but are not around on a regular basis (you will want to make sure this is someone you can trust). Start by just running to the gas station for a drink or to do some other task that will only take a few minutes. Gradually increase the amount of time away from the child. Doing this can really help to make your child feel more comfortable with you leaving, helping them to realize that you will be back. It can also help you to get used to not having your child in tow all the time. Actually going to school may be a little harder, most schools offer a time to come meet the teachers and see the class room and possibly other classmates before school starts. This helps so that the child is not going to spend the day with someone they have never met, in a place they have never been. Another great thing is that many schools welcome parents in the classroom. On the first day or couple days, spend a little extra time with your child in the classroom before leaving. Another great way to help your child feel comfortable and confident throughout their school life is to volunteer in the class. This can be done on a regular basis or for special occasions like holiday parties.
I hope that you find these tips helpful in getting your child and yourself ready for when the time comes to start the schooling experience.
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