Some parents are getting ready to send their young kids off to school for the very first time.
Karen Rallis, National Program Manager of the The Learning Partnership’s Welcome To Kindergarten Program, says there are many things you can do to help make the transition a smooth one for your child.
Rallis says simply talking about school and telling your children what they can expect there is very important.
She says parents should remain positive and tell their kids how much fun they’re going to have.
Rallis says kids should also be given the opportunity to visit their school, classroom, teacher, and bus before the first day of school.
She says that way they’ll have time to adjust to all their new surroundings and experiences in a less stressful manner.
Rallis says introducing your child to group activities with other kids is also important, because in the classroom they won’t always be the centre of the teacher’s attention.
Rallis says children should also be given routines at home so that the routines of going to school are not a big shock to their system.
She also says a foundation of learning should be built for your child at home.
Rallis says you can provide your child with books, crayons, playdough, scissors, and other supplies to create informal learning activities.
She says keep everything within the realm of play and activity because that’s the way young children learn.
Rallis says in the end, it’s all about introducing your child gradually to the idea and experience of school.
