It's Time For School: 4 Tips To Help Your Child Adjust To Kindergarten
Now that summer is coming to a close, it's time to get ready for school. If you've got older kids, the new school year is probably pretty routine now. However, if you have a child who'll be starting kindergarten this year, there's nothing routine about that. Every child is different, which means every first day of kindergarten is going to be different. If your child is exhibiting some anxiety about the first day of kindergarten, there are some things you can do to help ease their transition into the changes that are going to be taking place. Here are four simple steps you can take to help your child avoid kindergarten anxiety.
Practice Bus Transportation
If your child is going to be riding the bus to school, it's a good idea to get some practice in. This is particularly important if they've never been on any type of bus before. The last thing you want is to put your child on a bus "cold turkey" on the first day of school. If they have a melt-down right there, it might be a while before you can get them back on one. Instead, take a few practice runs with your child. Plan at least one outing on a local bus in your community. Teach your child how to board the bus, choose a seat and sit down. When it's time to get off the bus, show them how to safely do that as well. After a few bus rides, your child will be ready to board the school bus on their first day of school.
Take a Tour of the School
If your child has never been to the school that they'll be attending, you should schedule a tour. Allowing your child to tour the school they'll be attending will help them acclimate to their new surroundings. If possible, take them by the office so that they can meet the staff, and then take them by to meet their new teacher. Let them spend a few minutes walking around the classroom so that they can get a feel for their learning environment. This will also give them the opportunity to see the learning toys and the playground equipment that they'll get to use.
Choose the Right Schedule
Most school districts offer at least two kindergarten schedules to choose from; a morning and afternoon class. To help your child adjust to school, try to choose a schedule that works best for them. For instance, if your child is typically a morning person, choosing a morning schedule will work best for them. However, if your child is cranky until noon, choosing an afternoon schedule will be more fitting for them.
Now that you have a child heading off to kindergarten, make sure they have a successful year. The tips provided here will help you alleviate their anxiety so that they can adjust to their new routine. Contact a school, like Triple R Child Care, for more help.
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