8 tips for moms of new kids in kindergarten

I remember the anticipation of my children starting kindergarten so vividly – ​​exciting and stressful at the same time! It is a big step for moms and their little ones and also the official start of their children’s school career. No wonder moms want everything to go smoothly.

Here are 8 tips for moms of new kindergarteners:

1. Socialize before school starts
Get together with friends who will be starting kindergarten at the same time as your child before the school year starts. By giving your child plenty of opportunities to socialize and interact in groups of children, he or she will be better prepared to join 20 or more children, especially if this is their first time in a large group. Having a friend or acquaintance on the first day can be a great comfort to new students.

2. Smart package
Keep things simple when it comes to your child’s lunch box and backpack. While it can be tempting to create Pinterest-worthy artwork for lunch, remember that lunch breaks are short and little ones don’t eat fast. Make sure he knows how to open his own containers and to feed him food that he’s sure to gobble up. You don’t want her to go hungry because she can’t open the yogurt or the thermos and she’s too shy to ask for help. Also, make sure her backpack is the right size for her so she won’t have a problem carrying it around.

3. Connect with your child’s teacher
Make an effort to connect one-on-one with your child’s teacher as soon as you can, and be sure to let them know essential information about your child, such as allergies, special conditions, or even little fears. Teachers appreciate the additional information as it can make a big difference in the daily rhythm of the classroom and your child’s day.

4. Teach basic personal care
Talk to your child about going to the bathroom, washing hands, sneezing into the arm instead of the hands, and other self-help skills like tying shoes, zipping up zippers, and buttoning clothes. For many children, kindergarten may be the first time they do these things outside the home.

5. Practice skills
Give your child lots of practice with typical school tools like scissors, glue sticks, markers, etc. before she starts school. Not only are these great skills to have, but they will also help her focus more on learning instead of just working on the basic mechanics of using these items.

6. Encourage responsibility
Your child is never too young to help and it’s never too early to start! Teach her how to clean up after snack time or lunch, how to put away toys and books in her room, and how to empty her backpack at the end of the day. When school starts, he will be better prepared for what is expected of him during the daily routine.

7. Get the layout of the land
Most schools offer an orientation day for prospective kindergarteners. It’s a great opportunity to relieve any first-day jitters you and your child may have. Visit her classroom, find out where she’ll put her belongings, where she’ll have lunch, and more. This will help her feel much more comfortable on the first day of school.

8. Get involved
Volunteering time in the classroom is the best way to get to know your child’s teacher and classmates better, plus get a glimpse of daily life in the classroom (and you can spy on your cutie, too!) . Spend some of your time helping with reading or special crafts – teachers always appreciate the extra hands in the early years and it feels great doing it too.