| Now that Noah is a month into kindergarten I am | | | | observe, and remember. In addition to learning reading, |
| happy to report that he loves it and is thriving. Every | | | | writing and arithmetic, children are learning how to |
| morning he pops out of bed eager and ready to go to | | | | negotiate and survive a bureaucracy. Even |
| school. On the weekends he actually misses school | | | | kindergarten students will be expected to remember |
| although he does enjoy the opportunity to sleep in. | | | | their teacher's name, their room number and location, |
| When I drop him off in the morning he quickly switches | | | | their schedule, and various other administrative |
| into school mode. When I pick him up at the end of the | | | | miscellanea (for example, a lunch code or bus number). |
| school day he is excited to share all his news of the | | | | The more a child can handle these details for herself |
| day including what he learned, what happened in class | | | | the more confident she will be and the more |
| and on the playground, and what he did with his friends. | | | | comfortable with her school day. If she is familiar with |
| He loves all his teachers and has made many new | | | | the daily and weekly school schedule it simply |
| friends.As I spend time in my son's school and observe | | | | increases her comfort level. It may seem |
| his peers I am sad to see a large group of youngsters | | | | overwhelming but most kindergarten students quickly |
| who are not enjoying their school experience at all. | | | | master the essentials they need to negotiate the day. |
| While tears and panic are to be expected the first | | | | The more parents work to help and support children to |
| week of school it is sad to see the tears continue | | | | master these skills the more the child will |
| after children have had weeks to adjust to a new | | | | succeed.Physical preparation for school is essential. |
| way of life. Some children get over their tears as the | | | | Children who do not have enough sleep cannot learn |
| day progresses but others continue to cry through | | | | effectively and also have difficulty negotiating in the |
| lunch and even throughout the day. My heart goes out | | | | social atmosphere of school as well as have discipline |
| to these little ones who were not emotionally prepared | | | | problems. Young, growing children need enough sleep |
| for school.It is also troublesome to see how many | | | | to wake up rested and bright-eyed and ready to face |
| children are not mentally prepared for school. There | | | | the day. Children must also have proper nutrition to |
| are many skills children should master before starting | | | | learn. They need enough of the right kind of food (a |
| kindergarten that fall into these basic areas: cognitive | | | | balanced diet) to keep their bodies healthy and |
| skills, listening and sequencing, language skills, fine motor | | | | growing. While fashion should not be a major factor in |
| skills, social emotional skills, and gross motor skills. See | | | | kindergarten, children should wear clothing suitable to |
| my article about kindergarten readiness at for more | | | | the outdoor weather as well as the classroom |
| information.Finally, the worst cases are the children | | | | activities they will engage in during the day. |
| who are not physically prepared for school. These | | | | Kindergarten students are often involved in physical |
| children have not had enough sleep, not had enough | | | | activities and should wear clothing suitable for running, |
| food, and are not wearing suitable clothing. These | | | | dancing, and jumping as well as sitting on the floor or at |
| children also are unable to take care of themselves in | | | | a desk. Of course, children should also be clean and |
| the most fundamental ways.Parents must prepare | | | | neat to help build their confidence and lessen |
| their children for school emotionally, mentally, and | | | | distractions.If you do not do your best to prepare your |
| physically or they are setting up their children for failure. | | | | child emotionally, mentally and physically for school then |
| Children who have not been prepared for the | | | | you are failing your child and worse you are setting |
| separation from home and family and children who | | | | your child up for failure. While early success does not |
| have not been prepared for the school day structure | | | | guarantee continued school success, early failure can |
| will have difficulty adjusting emotionally to school and a | | | | haunt a child's academic record or worse set up a |
| negative experience can have long term effects on | | | | pattern of expectation and behavior that child will be |
| the child's academic success. Work to build your child's | | | | doomed to repeat throughout his school life.Do not fail |
| confidence and self esteem so he is better equipped | | | | your child. Take full advantage of your child's preschool |
| to venture out into the world on his own. Most children | | | | years to prepare him for school and for life. |
| successfully transition into kindergarten so it can be | | | | Kindergarten will be here sooner than you think.Deanna |
| done and you should make it your goal for your child | | | | Mascle shares more tips to help you prepare your child |
| to start school with no tears.Mental preparation for | | | | for school and life with her newsletter Preschoolers |
| school is more than simply knowing letters, numbers, | | | | Learn More. |
| shapes and colors. It is also about being able to listen, | | | | |