All Articles >>

READY, SET...KINDERGARTEN!

By: Shannon Kaiser   |   August 2, 2021

Starting kindergarten is an exciting time for students and families. In most cases the kids are going from a small preschool to a much larger elementary school with far more independence. All kids respond differently: some may be excited and will skip through the classroom door while others may be more nervous and have to be peeled from their parents’ arms (like my kids). Starting kindergarten is a new and exciting change that takes time and preparation. Here are a few tips to make life easier for you and your incoming kindergartener!

Get to bed early and establish a routine
Before school starts, begin moving bedtime earlier and earlier to prepare your little night owl for those early mornings. Establishing a morning routine will help your child know what is going to happen. Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, get shoes and jacket on and get ready to go. Change is hard for everyone but knowing what to expect on a step-by-step basis helps ease the stress so everyone will be prepared to head out the door, catch the bus and head off to school. We all know how long it takes for shoes to be put on and back packs to be found when you are running late.

Establish self-sufficiency skills
In the weeks leading up to the start of kindergarten, work on self sufficiency-skills such as opening lunches, going to the bathroom and asking for help. Teachers are extremely helpful and have the patience of saints but there are a lot of kids to help and the loudest may ultimately be helped the quickest. Practicing asking for what they need will help a nervous child advocate for themselves.

At our school, lunch is about 20 minutes long and the quicker kids are able to start eating, the more they are able to fill their tummies and the happier they are when you pick them up a few hours later. If they are waiting for their yogurt to be opened, they lose valuable eating time.

Kindergarten is super busy and by the time kids realize they need to use the restroom, THEY NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM! Help your child practice taking their clothes on and off on their own; choosing pull-on clothes is a safer bet than zippers and snaps. While you are in the bathroom, also practice wiping. Unlike preschool, your kindergarten teacher will not be able to help with the messy business of #2.

Be gentle with extracurricular activities
We are so lucky to live in a time where our kids can explore and take part in a variety of sports and activities. I know how tempting it is to pack their schedule full of soccer, chess, taekwondo, ballet and so much more—but wait until the second semester to make sure your child can handle the rigors of full day school before rolling into a challenging afternoon activity. I can’t tell you the number of times my kids who hadn’t napped in years would fall asleep on their way home from kindergarten, or spent soccer class in tears. Having time to play and just decompress at home may help stave off the afternoon tantrums.

Prepare for the tantrums
Kindergarten days are long and gruelling. The kids have to hold themselves together emotionally all day and then when they get back to you—their safe space—they may lose control. There were several days where my daughter threw her tote at me and then started sobbing. It wasn’t that she had a bad day, she was just exhausted. Many of the other parents and caregivers at pickup were dealing with the same big emotions. A snack and quiet time went a long way.

Talk about it
Ask your child about their feelings: what they are excited about and what seems scary about heading to kindergarten. The things they are scared of may surprise you and knowing what is worrisome can help you both prepare. Point out the positives such as making new friends, learning to read, and how kind the teacher will be.

A great way to start the conversation is to make your nighttime book choices all about school preparedness. Some helpful choices include:

● The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn 
● Kindergarten, Here I Come by D.J. Steinberg 
● Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes 
● David Goes to School by David Shannon 

The most important thing to remember is that everything will be fine. School is going to be wonderful. Your child is going to learn so much and do so well. They are ready, they are capable, and they can do it. You’ve got this!

Shannon Kaiser lives in Tiburon with her husband, Rolf, and three crazy kids who are in 4th grade, 1st grade, and TK. She spends her days chauffeuring her kids around town, folding laundry and serving as the 2021-22 term Southern Marin Mothers' Club President. You can reach Shannon at president@southernmarinmoms.com.

More from this issue:

5 Ways to Rediscover Your Inner Strength Read >>

To Comfort or Not to Comfort?  Read >>

Are Kegels Enough?  Read >>

Renegotiating our Relationship With Time  Read >>

Toys From Milk Jugs: Meet Community Partner Green Toys  Read >>