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Going to school for the first time is one of the most important milestones in a youngster's life. The child is entering a period wherein he/she becomes more independent of parents and begins the process of formal learning.
Parents sometimes fear the first day of school as much as their children. To make this event a pleasant experience, the parent should present a positive attitude about school for the child. Many children are fearful of being left at school by their parents. Let your child know that you are not leaving them forever, but that after each school day, he/she will return home.
Be supportive of your new kindergartner. Until now, your child has been living in familiar surroundings. Now he/she will face some unfamiliar adults and a new environment.
Your child may also be experiencing the group situation for the first time. It is not unusual for a younger child to be tearful or sad during the first few days. Be sure to emphasize the positive aspects of school in order to make the transition less stressful.
To ready your child for kindergarten, a regular schedule will be very helpful. Enforce consistent bedtimes and daily schedules. Your child needs to be accustomed to regular eating times and rest times, since this will be the case at school.
Find out as much about the new school as possible. Know lunch prices and general school policies. A good idea to reduce the anxiety of the first day is to take your child to the school ahead of time. Find his/her classroom and try to meet the teacher.
If possible, find out which of your child's friends will share the same classes. These methods will all help to make the new school less of a strange and intimidating place.
The parent may need to go shopping to prepare the child for school. Among the items that an elementary aged student might need are: A lunch box, pencils, paper, book bag, proper clothing, etc. Some parents choose to put their child's name on coats, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc.
Make sure your child has the proper immunizations and health check-ups before school begins. Let the teacher know of any special physical needs or handicaps so that proper care can be taken at school.
The term "kindergarten" is derived from the German language. It means "a garden of children" -- a place where children may grow naturally in a child's world. Usually kindergarten is a child's first introduction to formal schooling.
While there will be a structured learning program, kindergarten will still allow for "child's play." Children will be encouraged to develop their own individual potentials. Children's learning will be nurtured and enriched in kindergarten. The kindergarten program is designed to serve as a foundation for meaningful learning experiences which will make formal learning more effective.
Provided by:
NC Division of Non-Public Education
1309 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1309
Telephone: (919) 733-4276
www.ncdnpe.org