Preparations for Starting Kindergarten

Taken from Growing Concerns -- A childrearing question-and-answer column with Dr. Martha Erickson

Question:
My son will start kindergarten this fall, and I'm starting to worry about whether he has the skills he'll need to succeed. What are the things a kindergartner really ought to know, and is there anything I can do in the remaining weeks of summer to help him get ready? (He's been in childcare so I'm not worried about the separation as much as the skills he'll need.)

Answer:
Even for children who have been in child care or preschool, starting kindergarten does signal changes, including larger classes, less individual attention, and higher academic expectations. For starters, you could call the school district to see if they have a list of expectations for entering kindergartners (sometimes called a "readiness checklist"). With or without such a list, there are several things you can do in these remaining weeks of summer that will help your son get off to a good start.

Practice self-help skills. Because teachers don't have much time to help each individual child, make sure your son can zip, button, tie shoes, and tell which shoe goes on which foot. Give him opportunities at home to organize and care for his own toys and clothes. And make sure he's independent in using the toilet and washing his hands.

Emphasize social skills. Help him learn and practice the essential skills for getting along in a large group, including: listen when others talk; share; take turns; stay in your own space, and tell an adult when you need help.

Weave pre-reading and number skills into everyday activities. Although kindergarten teachers usually expect to teach children about numbers and letters, children benefit from starting school with a basic foundation. Play games that involve counting. Engage your son in measuring and counting while you cook or garden or shop. Choose a letter of the day and see how many things you can find that begin with that letter. Make up silly rhymes or create a story by taking turns adding a sentence. Keep it light and fun, without pressure.

Help your son know what to expect when he goes to school. Take him on a tour of the building or make a play date with other kids from the school. Ask him what he's thinking about going to school and be ready to answer questions about things that concern him. For example, many young children wonder, "What if a big kid is mean to me? What if I get lost? What if I have to go to the bathroom when the teacher is talking?"

Finally, know that you've been preparing your son for kindergarten since the first day of his life. Your steady love has helped him be confident and open to new experiences. By talking, talking, talking to him, you've laid the foundation for reading and other kinds of learning. By encouraging his natural curiosity, you've helped him remain eager to learn. And by showing him how to treat others with kindness and respect, you've paved the way for positive connections with his teachers and classmates.

Editor's Note: Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson, director of the University of Minnesota's Children, Youth and Family Consortium, invites your questions on child rearing for possible inclusion in this column. E-mail to mferick@tc.umn.edu or write to Growing Concerns, University of Minnesota News Service, 6 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.