What can you do NOW to ensure a successful transition to kindergarten for your preschooler? Here are some best practices:
Teach your child to follow directions. Begin with giving one direction; build to 2-step, then 3-step directions. (Brush your teeth, choose a book, climb into bed.)
Set up a regular time to clean a playroom or bedroom. Create spaces where toys and clothes can be stored to help develop responsibility and the ability to organize.
Sing songs together. Be sure to include songs that will boost their school skills: ABCs, colors, rhyming songs, etc. We learn and retain information easily through music!
Give your child a chore (feed pet, make bed, match socks, put away toys). Being a part of regular household tasks teaches reliability and builds confidence.
Read together. Making reading fun and a consistent part of each day builds foundational literacy skills well before your child is reading on their own!
Develop your child’s storytelling skills. After reading a story to them, see if they can retell the story, including character names and the correct sequencing of what happened (beginning, middle, end).
Fuel imaginative play. Encourage playing without any toys, and instead help them explore the outdoors, tell made-up stories, or create art from sticks, leaves, and other found objects.
Build your child’s capacity for resting and quiet time. Increase the time they can listen to a story or some music until they can do so for 30 minutes. Letting their body be calm and to think about things they like without talking helps develop healthy autonomy.
Limit screen time, and do not allow screens in your child’s bedroom. Screens limit peripheral vision growth and reduce a child’s ability to understand emotions in people’s faces.
Prioritize sleep. Set up a healthy bedtime routine and go to bed early enough. 10-12 hours of sleep is recommended for children in kindergarten.
Pray for and with your child. The time you spend in prayer for your child is the most valuable investment you can make.
Are you ready to explore kindergarten options for your child? Learn more about Hope Academy’s unique perspective on kindergarten here.
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