Photo by Yan Krukov on Pexels

By Lizzie Weakley

While it seems like it was just yesterday that your child was born, you have blinked your eyes and now realize the time has come for your child to enroll in kindergarten.

However, since this can sometimes be an overwhelming experience for children, you want to do all you can to have your child well-prepared for their big day. To make sure your child loves kindergarten and excels from day one, here are some tips on socialization and other important areas.

Involve Them in Group Activities

Before your child starts kindergarten, get them used to being in groups of other children by enrolling them in various activities. These can include story time sessions at your local library, having regular play dates with several other kids, and perhaps taking part in activities at church. By doing so, they will get used to interacting with other kids and adults, making the transition to kindergarten easier.

Encourage Independence

Once your child starts attending kindergarten, they will be expected to do certain things on their own. Thus, start stressing independence at home by letting them dress themselves, use the bathroom on their own, and learn how to serve themselves at lunch. This will help them gain confidence, which will be crucial once they start kindergarten.

Emphasize Reading and Literacy

If your child is behind in reading and literacy when they begin kindergarten, they may be playing catch-up with other students for a very long time. Instead of having this happen, emphasize reading and literacy with your child before they start kindergarten.

This can include having them check out books from the library, reading to your child before bedtime each night, and letting them help you write down shopping lists. By making these activities very positive and using kindergarten social ready kits, your child’s skills will develop at a rapid pace. You can even make this a part of your daily routine so that your child expects this as a regular part of their day.

Develop Regular Routines

Finally, start adopting regular routines at home that will easily transition into a school setting. For example, if you pick a time for your child to awaken, get dressed, and eat breakfast each day, this will make it easier for them to get to school on time each day once kindergarten begins.

Though sending your child off to kindergarten may be hard, it is important to set the stage for success from the very beginning. By helping your child become more independent, get used to regular routines, and develop their literacy skills from an early age, it won’t be long until your child’s kindergarten teacher is telling you your child is the star of their class.

About the Author

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.

*Photo courtesy of Lizzie Weakley