If this were a perfect world, parents would be deciding which program met the developmental level of their child.  Instead, the child is expected to be ready to meet the demands of the kindergarten program itself.  Diminishing funds and available resources often lead to larger class sizes and less support personal for teachers.  This forces kindergarten programs to become more rigid and less able to meet the needs of a broad range of children. To make an informed decision concerning the kindergarten your child may attend, parents will need to visit the school to make observations and ask questions.  Try to visit the class your child may be attending the following year, so that you can see what the curriculum and teacher expectations are like.  While observing the class, try to picture your child in that classroom.  Are there aspects of the curriculum your child would enjoy or is the curriculum to challenging?  Would your child excel in this environment or have trouble keeping up with the pace?  If you find that the pace is too fast or the class too challenging for your child, you may want to explore another program or delay enrolling your child in kindergarten until the following year.  This is an especially important decision if you child is a young five year old (born after August.)

   

Questions you may want to ask during your observation period: How many children are in the class? What is the age range of the children? How many aides are usually present in the class? How often is the teacher alone in the classroom without support? What type of training is required for the teacher aides? Are volunteers used in the classroom? Are the volunteers given any special training? Where are the volunteers from?  (parents, high school, agencies) At anytime are the students left alone under the supervision of the aide or volunteer? What techniques are usually employed to teach children who learn at a faster or slower rate than the average child? How much homework will my child be required to do each evening? Is dramatic play, developing social skills, and learning to communicate stressed in the program or is the program academically based? Does the teacher feel that the program is developmentally appropriate for age range of the children attending the program?  Why or Why not? May I see examples of your method of teaching basic concepts to the class?  Parents mainly want to ensure that their child is not going to be doing seatwork all day.  Fun and engaging activities should be used to teach the concepts listed later in this article.  If a child is given ditto sheet after ditto sheet to color they will become bored and will not be taught the skills necessary for independent thought.

 

The age of your child is just one indicator of kindergarten readiness.  Observe your child to see if they are developmentally ready to begin school.  Look for some of the following behaviors in your child to help you make the right decision.   Exhibits self management skills (puts on coat before going outside in cold weather) Works independently (can color or read a book without someone sitting next to them) Make own choices Adjust to new situations (most children take a day or two to adjust to something new) Wait their turn. Interact well with other children (can share, sometimes lead, sometimes follow) Solve their own problems during play with children and adults (they do not always have to have their own way) Communicate well enough to express their feelings and needs to a variety of adults These are just a few aspects a child needs to exhibit to succeed in kindergarten.  Do not be concerned if your child does not have all these characteristics or does not exhibit them all the time.  Children are constantly changing and developing new skills.  Try not to make all the observations at one time or in one setting.  Children act differently in daycare, preschool, or other people’s homes.  If possible talk to other people who have had a lot of contact with your child.   If your child does not have the necessary skills to begin kindergarten, start working on developing them now.  The following are tips that may assist your child in developing or expanding the necessary skills.

    

Enroll your child in a developmental preschool. Take your child to story time at the local library on a regular basis. Join a playgroup.  Many playgroups are put together by parents and are held at parks and different homes.  A good place to check is at the local community center, YMCA, YWCA, and boys and girls clubs. Read to your child to help them learn to stay focus for at least twenty minutes at a time. Do cut and paste activities at home.  Begin by working directly with your child and later giving your child more instructions and less direct assistance. Talk to other parents about rotating books and puzzles so that the children will have more variety and time to develop these skills. Talk to your child and ask them to describe objects and pictures.  Ask them to find as many objects as they can of a certain color. Ask friends, parents, and teachers for activities you might do at home with your child.

  

The First Day of School Your child will probably be really excited at the thought of starting school.  However, mixed in with this excitement may be quite a bit of anxiety and many questions.  Always try to be as honest as possible when answering their questions.  Let them know that you don’t have all the answers and they may just have to wait and find out what school will be like when they get there.  Following are some tips that might help you and them through that all-important first day.   About a month before school begins, start talking about school and what they can expect.  Most programs will have story time, snack time, calendar, playtime, and coloring activities. If your child has an older sibling or friend who has already been to kindergarten, ask them to talk to your child about their experiences.  However, caution them about making up stories that may cause anxiety instead of excitement. Take your child with you to go shopping for clothes and school supplies.  Let them choose (with your guidance) what they would like to wear and the supplies they want to take to school. Most schools have a day for new students to come and meet their teacher and see their classroom.  Take advantage of this time and let your child also meet the principal, walk through the halls, see the library, gym, and cafeteria (if they are full day students.) Have your child assist you the night before in laying out their clothes and preparing their lunch or snack. Get up in plenty of time for you and your child to get ready for school and to eat a special breakfast.  Try not to have to rush. If possible, go with your child on that first day.  Plan to stay a few minutes, so that your child’s teacher is able to speak directly to your child and possible get them settled before they are left on their own. Try to pick your child up after school that first day.  Plan to be there a few minutes early so that your child see you as soon as they leave the classroom.  They will probably be bursting to tell you about their first day.

 

KayDee@KayDeesplace.com

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