Getting Ready For Kindergarten
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Starting kindergarten is a big milestone, not just for children, but for parents too. It’s completely natural to wonder, “Is my child ready?”
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One of the greatest gifts we can give children before they begin school is growing independence. When children learn to do things for themselves they often walk into the classroom with more confidence. Independence builds competence, and competence builds confidence.
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But it’s equally important to remember this: Every child develops at their own pace. Some children are eager and independent early on. Others take more time. That doesn’t mean they aren’t ready, it simply means they are growing in their own way. Kindergarten teachers understand this. Supporting children through these early steps is part of the job. Your child does not need to walk in knowing everything. They need to walk in knowing they are loved, capable, and safe to learn.
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The suggestions that follow are simple skills you can begin practicing before school starts... and continue building throughout the year as needed. Think of them not as a checklist to complete, but as opportunities to gently strengthen your child’s confidence one small step at a time:
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Skills that develop personal independence: using the washroom independently, washing their hands, opening and closing their backpack and lunchbox (as well as any containers inside), putting on and taking off their shoes and coat, follow simple directions with 1 or 2 steps.
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Social skills: sharing, taking turns, asking for help, allowing someone else to go first, discuss feelings.
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Letter/sound recognition activities: watch some short, fun videos such as this Letter Factory song, pick one letter (start with the first letter in your child’s name) and discuss the sound it makes then look for it in books or objects in the environment, check out some fun printables at funlearningforkids.com that you can do with your child.
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Number activities: identify numbers in the environment, count a variety of objects, match numbers with pictures (see my Numbers to 10 Matching Activity freebie).
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Name activities: point out their name in different contexts, practice identifying their name next to a few other names of friends or family, practice tracing their name, hide a name card and have your child find it.
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Fine motor skills: drawing, painting, tracing, cutting with scissors, gluing with white glue and glue sticks, using tweezers to pick up small objects such as pompoms or beads.
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Problem-solving skills: follow your child’s interests (such as creating art, cooking, building structures, conducting science experiments or exploring nature), brainstorm ideas, ask questions, research, try using different tools or materials, discuss challenges, reflect on what went well and what you could do differently.
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Here is a link from the Ontario Government about Preparing Your Child for Full-Day Kindergarten.
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You can also check out my blog Creative Ways to Make Learning Fun and Engaging for Kids.
