
Feature/General
Calming the Kindergarten
Jitters
By Amy Heesacker
Jul/Aug 2006
I offered to write this article
on preparing your child emotionally for kindergarten only to realize
that I'm the one emotionally unprepared! My first child, Javi,
will be entering kindergarten in the fall, and I want so much for
him to have a positive first experience with 'big kid school.'
I also want him to get off on the right foot without me chaining
myself to him and blubbering on the floor of his classroom. So
I did some research and came up with these tips to help calm your
child's kindergarten jitters, and hopefully they will help with
(my) parent jitters, too.
Summer wind down
Long summer days and crazy schedules often result in later bedtimes.
Be sure to set a firm bedtime at least a week before school starts
that allows your child to get a minimum of 9 hours of sleep.
Near the end of the summer break, take a walk with your child around
their school (inside and out) so that it becomes more familiar.
If you can manage it, do this twice. The second time your child
can serve as the 'tour guide' of their school. Your attitude on
this trip is just as important as the trip itself. Stay positive
and point out things that your child might find interesting or
familiar ('Wow, look at all the cool dinosaur puzzles you'll get
to do' or 'You have that same book on your bookshelf at home!')
Find ways for your child to demonstrate their independence (getting
dressed, putting clothes/toys away, washing hands, setting the
table), and then reinforce them with praise to build their self
confidence.
Readiness Activity Books
Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten helps
prepare youngsters for their first real school experience
and gets them excited about learning. This brightly illustrated,
interactive book teaches children the core curriculum for
kindergarten in an entertaining manner. The book was written
by parents and kindergarten teachers. It features 32 pages
of curriculum including the alphabet, numbers, opposites,
the seasons, telling time and more.
Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten has been
ordered by dozens of school districts to help its
students prepare for school. The book retails for
$15 and is available at www.cedarvalleypublishing.com, www.amazon.com,
and www.target.com.
Cedar Valley Publishing is also just out with Let's
Get Ready for First Grade.
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As the big day approaches
Make sure that you are clear on schedules (drop off/pick up times,
daily classroom schedule) so you can prepare your child for what
to expect and so things run smoothly on the first day.
Talk to your child about your own kindergarten memories; especially
share the funny ones and those that focus on the excitement of
learning. Discuss your own first day feelings making sure to listen
and validate those feelings that your child is expressing.
Having trouble getting your child to talk about his/her feelings?
Read a book together that is sure to spark some discussion. Here
are some suggestions:
- The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
- First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
- Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
- Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell
- Annabelle Swift, Kindergartener by Amy Schwartz.
The night before the first day, lay out clothes, pack lunches
and have backpacks and supplies ready at the door. Make this
a special and fun event stressing your excitement for your child.
The big day arrives
Make your child a good breakfast and send a healthy lunch (include
a special surprise treat and a smiley face post it note or picture
of your family).
Your child has had years to learn to read your emotions, so remember
to be positive and calm. It's all right to say you'll miss each
other, but it's also important to stress that you will both be
busy and excited to find out what this new adventure will bring.
During the goodbye your child may feel scared or even overwhelmed.
Be patient, but don't linger too long. Stay calm, and let him/her
know how proud you are. Then treat yourself to something special
for getting through the first day of kindergarten.
Amy Heesacker holds a doctoral degree in Counseling and Developmental
Psychology. She is a part time assistant professor at the University
of Georgia and lives in Athens with her husband and their children,
Javi (4) and Isa (1).
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