The Home School Connection
How Parents Can Ensure
A Successful Kindergarten Experience
* Spend some time each day with your child talking, playing a game, taking a walk, working on a project.
· Make sure your child has some quiet time each day. Do not over schedule. Review the day and preview the next day.
· Let us know if there is a change in your schedule or routine – for example if a parent will be away for a few days, a grandparent is visiting.
· Read all school and classroom notices and newsletters. Respond to requests for permission slips, materials, as soon as possible.
· Teach your child self-help skills such as dressing-zipping, lacing, tying, buckling. Make sure that s/he can put on and take off all clothes – including winter boots. Label all clothing your child might remove in school. Provide an extra set of clothes.
· Pack your child a healthy snack and lunch. Resist the temptation to send in prepared snack foods with sugar. Make a list with your child of healthy snacks that s/he likes.
· Eat dinner together as a family as much as possible. Involve your child in the preparations.
· Give your child a daily and weekly job to do around the house.
· Make sure your child goes to bed early on school nights.
· Limit your child’s media diet (T.V., videos, I-Pads, I-phone games, computers) especially before bed, during mealtimes and when the weather is nice enough to play outside.
· Provide a table or desk in your child’s room with paper, pencils, markers for drawing and writing.
· Read high quality children’s literature with interesting stories to your child every night. Visit the library regularly.
· Allow your child plenty of time for daily routines such as getting ready for school and bed so that you are not rushed.
· Treat conflicts as opportunities to learn emotional and social skills.
· Invite your child’s friends over to your house for a playdate.