Having a child starting kindy is a time of mixed emotions – it’s exciting, worrying, happy, daunting, overwhelming, sad and you may feel a sense of relief. While no amount of advice or information will completely prepare you, it can come in very handy and help put your mind at ease a little.
Children come to school at many different levels. Some will know how to count to 30 or write and others won’t. These skills will be practised and mastered throughout the school year. And you can help by continuing to reinforce them at home.
Focus instead on explaining the basic school rules. Like putting up their hand to ask a question, asking to go the toilet, listening quietly when you need to and doing what the teacher asks. And make sure they can do a few important things on their own. Like going to the toilet, washing their hands, opening their lunch box and putting their things away.
The first day of kindy will be emotional for you and your child! Prepare some tissues! Once your child has passed the classroom step, you need to learn to let go. A little bit like the first day at childcare, but less tears, at least from your child (hopefully!). This is the place where your child will learn to make new friends, buy their own lunch from the canteen, put their hand up when they didn’t understand something in class and look after their own belongings, among many other things. Remember, that school not only teaches them academically but helps prepare them for adult life.
You are probably not going to get much elaborate feedback from your child about school. A lot of things happen and there’s a lot for them to take in over the first days (weeks/ months). Don’t let it discourage you if all you get from them is “I can’t remember” or “Uh, I don’t know.”
Another good thing is to open communication with their teacher. But remember not to flood them with questions early in the morning before class. Best time is at pick up in the afternoon. Or even better, organise a specific time with the teacher. Remember you will likely have two teacher interviews per year, where more adequate feedback can be given. Plus give the teacher some time to get to know your child.
There are going to be a LOT of distractions at lunch time so make their lunch as easy and quick to eat as possible. This will improve the chances of them eating it and leave more time for play. Which in turn will improve their concentration in the afternoon and reduce your stress levels worrying about whether they have eaten or not. Go with bite size pieces where possible and things they can easily open.
There will be a lot going on in the mornings before school. So make it as easy as possible for yourself and them, by preparing as much as you can the day/ weekend before. Like having lunch made, school uniform ready and bag packed.
Labelling their uniforms, lunch boxes, hats, bottles, is a must! Write their name down and maybe even the class number. You will be amazed how easy these things get forgotten somewhere on the school grounds. Their heads are still in the clouds and sometimes even year 6 kids forget their jacket or lunch box at school.
Also, don’t let them bring toys to school, especially their favourite ones. Home items go missing easily, and can be very hard to get back. Remind your child that they can play at school with the toys provided.
If your child is having difficulty with another child in their class or outside, talk it over with their teacher first. The teacher knows both children and understands their classroom dynamic and may have a solution to try first. Only if you don’t see any resolution, ask to speak with the Assistant Principal and then Principal.
It’s widely acknowledged parents are a powerful force in a child’s school success. In many ways, the parents’ transition to school can be just as important as that of the child. So, it’s vital parents and children share a positive and enthusiastic attitude to school.
This attitude can be fostered in many ways. These ways include:
- reading books that associate positive feelings about school
- parents talking positively about their good times at school
- and even talking with siblings, cousins or others who are at school and enjoying their time there.
For more information please visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/wellbeing/school-events/how-to-gently-prepare-your-child-for-kindergarten