Kids at The Center are “Getting Ready for Kindergarten”
Dear Families,
Many of us have fond memories of kindergarten. What we might not remember is the anxiety and excitement we may have felt leading up to our entry into elementary school. The final weeks of school can be scary, fun, and exciting all at the same time, and not just for children! It’s understandable for you to experience a range of emotions about your child moving from preK to kindergarten.
When children go through big life changes, such as the transition from preschool to elementary school, they may have big feelings that they aren’t able to easily communicate. In our program, we welcome you to come and talk to us about how to support children at home and ease any anxiety they may feel. We know that this is an important milestone in your child’s life. We are here to support your family.
If possible, we would love for you to share photos of family members in kindergarten for us to display in the classrooms. Please label all photos with your child’s name so we can return them at the end of the year.
What You Can Do at Home
Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Know that some behaviors may be because of anxiety about the transition.
Keep your home routines and rituals consistent. This will help your child feel a sense of security and stability at home.
Read books about moving on to kindergarten, and talk with your child about the characters and their feelings.
Encourage older siblings to share their kindergarten experiences, and share your own fond memories.
Learn what you can in advance about your child’s kindergarten teacher, classroom, and routines. If possible, visit the kindergarten class before the start of the school year. With your child, write down any questions you have for the teacher or school staff.
Talk with families of children who already attend the school. Ask them questions about their experiences and for any advice they have for new families.
Thank you for playing an important role in our learning.
Jackie Lujan, Assistant Director of Education
