Goulds Elementary School

KinderStart Parent Session

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten!

Tips for Parents of Children Starting Kindergarten

• Preschool Health Check – Vision and Hearing Screening

• Give all information about your child to the school, especially medical and special needs

• Provide emergency and contact numbers

• Make the school aware of any special family circumstances

Tips for Parents of Children Starting Kindergarten

• Establish routines with your child and stick to them

• Label equipment and clothing• Encourage independence

Preparing for the First Day of School• Make sure you are clear on schedules (drop

off/pick up times, daily classroom schedule) so you can prepare your child for what to expect in the first few days of school.

• Talk to your child about your own kindergarten memories. Discuss your own first day feelings and make sure to listen and validate the feelings your child is expressing.

Preparing for the First Day of School

• Read a book together about the first day of school. Some suggestions include:The Night Before Kindergarten - Natasha WingFirst Day Jitters - Juile DannebergCountdown to Kindergarten - Alison McGheeThe Kissing Hand – Audrey PennMiss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten – Jospeh SlateWelcome to Kindergarten – Anne RockwellKindergarten Rocks! Katie DavisAnnabelle Swift, Kindergartener - Amy SchwartzLama, Lama Misses Mama – Anne Dewdney

Preparing for the First Day of School

• The night before the first day, lay out clothes, and have backpacks and supplies ready at the door. Make this a special and fun event, stressing your excitement for your child.

• Get up in time to get everything done without rushing.

• On the big day make sure yourchild has a good breakfast.

Preparing for the First Day of School

• Your child has learned how to read your emotions, so remember to be positive and calm. It’s alright to say you’ll miss each other, but also important that you stress you can’t wait to find out what this new adventure will bring.

• During your goodbye your child may feel scared or even overwhelmed. Be patient but don’t linger too long. Stay clam, and let him/her know how proud your are. Then treat yourself for getting through the first day of kindergarten.

Important Info Regarding Snacks

• Food Allergies• Nutritious• Easy to open independently• Child is able to eat independently• Pack food that does not require

heating.• DON’T pack too much!!!

Emotional Maturity

• Independent• Self-Motivated• Able to make Choices• Self-Control (wait turns)• Willing to try new things

Social Skills

• Plays cooperatively with others• Make friends• Take part in conversations• Follow Rules• Take turns• Can share adult attention with other children

Listening Skills

• Listen to stories• Follow Directions• Focus on activities during circle time

Language Skills

• Express his/her wants/needs• Answer and ask simple questions• Talks about familiar objects and events• Follow simple instructions • Repeat/joins in rhymes, songs or stories

Self-Help Skills

• Use toilet independently (keep a change of clothes at school in a labeled bag)

• Say his/her name and address• Tidy up after self• Wash hands after bathroom use• Dress self (velcro instead of shoe

laces)

Learning/Cognition

• Solve age appropriate puzzles• Repeat age appropriate sequences and

patterns• Remember simple routines• Book handling skills• Alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors• Up/down, under/over, in front/behind etc.

Physical Skills

• Use scissors to cut along straight line• Play action games• Do simple exercises• Manipulate small objects– hold pencil, copy

simple lines, cut using scissors

Guidance services

• Individual Counselling• Groups- Go Girls/Game On• Classroom Programs ( Fun Friends, Friends for

Life, and Roots of Empathy)• Assessments/Special Services Support

Guidance Services

• Community agencies ( Child development, OT, Audiology, Family Resource Center, BMS, BBBS, CYFS)

• Student assistant• Special Transportation• Speech Language services• IEP/ISSP