Kindergarten Transition for Students and Parents

Hello Friends, how are you this week👋

This week let’s talk about how as early childhood leaders we can guide parents, support the Pre-K teachers, and make sure that the children have the everyday skills needed as they transition to Kindergarten.

It was not until my first child left my Pre-K program, did I realized how different Kindergarten would be from the world of child care classrooms. We have open communication and can be reached at any time, we are willing to help and hug a child when needed, and the rules the state has in place are much stricter for us than in the public schools. Not only do we need to prepare the children for Kindergarten, but also help the parents understand that there will be differences and give them guidance.

As a leader of a Pre-K program you can:

• Hold a meeting for parents about how the transition from your school to Kindergarten will go

• Create a social media group for parents so you can have a running Q&A

• Have a panel of parents that have gone though the Pre-K to Kindergarten transition available; one or 2 from a few local schools if you can that are still in your program

• Invite the principle and Kindergarten teacher to answer questions via a parent event

• Provide literature for parents and other resources about preparing for Kindergarten

What the classroom teacher can do at school:

• Read books about Kindergarten📚

• Bring guest Kindergarteners into talk about their experiences

• Ask children during circle time about the questions🤔they have about Kindergarten and then find the answers together

• Have children pack their lunch🎒 to practice opening the containers

• Take a fieldtrip to a Kindergarten classroom

•  Talk about bus safety and organize a bus fieldtrip

• Transition children out of naptime💤

• Have a map hanging in the classroom to show what Kindergarten school each child may be attending; use mascots and school colors🐯🐝

• Spend time on the school playground🛝

•  Practice independence🚽and self help skills

What parents can do at home🏡:

• Make a list of what is important to tell the new school about their child. (allergies, strengths, concerns, interests, fears)

• Ask the Kindergarten teacher how communication works in their classroom📞

• Learn about the school district. (talk to parents, attend school meetings)

• Find out what opportunities the school offers to be involved in the school community🏫 (PTO, classroom volunteer)

• Attend open houses and visit the Kindergarten classroom. (talk with the child about what is the same/ different at Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom)

•  Start creating a bedtime routine🛌

• Go to the library to find books📙 to read about Kindergarten

• Encourage your child to do things on their own (put on 👟 and coat, pick out school outfits, put things away when they are done with them)

• Talk about their first day at Kindergarten and how excited they are!

This is a very exciting and emotional time for parents, children, and teachers. It’s important we help in creating the experience that helps the transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten a memorable milestone…recall the importance of the “traditions”! Here are two things that we have done at our schools:

1. Jitter Glitter

2. Oh the Places You Go journal

Till Next Time,

Jen🐈

P.S – Tips for parents the Night Before Kindergarten ⬅️ Download Here for FREE!

P.P.S. Did you see our fun teambuilding activity that was posted on our FB page?