Making the leap from pre-school to kindergarten is one of childhood’s most important milestones. It marks significant social and academic growth, as well as an increase in independence that is a big change for both parents and children. Kindergarten is usually a child’s first experience in a traditional classroom setting, and is most cases, it is the first time he or she rides a school bus. The good news is that most children are both ready and excited for this transition. However, it’s still a change in your child’s everyday routine that requires preparation. The tips below will help your preschooler transform to a kindergartener with as little stress as possible.
Encourage independence: Work with your child well before the start of kindergarten to make sure he/she can use the bathroom, wash her hands, and put on his coat, hat, and mittens independently. Although not expected at the kindergarten level, if your child can zip her jacket and tie his shoes, it’s a bonus. Don’t be discouraged if your child struggles with one or all of these things. The goal is progress, not perfection. Keep practicing, but don’t get stressed out. Schedule summer play dates with children who will attend kindergarten with your child: Introduce your child to children who will attend kindergarten with him. It will be less stressful for your child if she knows other children who will ride the same bus or be in her class. It will also be helpful for you to know some of the other parents. Talk about the bus ride: This is likely your child’s initial experience with group transportation. For the first time, he can’t ask the adult in the car for a Kleenex or to turn on the music, etc. Explain the proper way to behave on the bus, and make sure your child has the small things she needs (like Kleenex, hand sanitizer) in her backpack. Drive the bus route with your child a few times before the first day of school so he feels more comfortable with where the bus is going and how long the ride takes. Start the new bedtime schedule a couple of weeks before school starts: Don’t wait until the start of school to implement a new nighttime routine. If you begin a couple of weeks ahead of time, the new routine will be old hat by the first day of school. In addition to making the process easier, it will be one less new thing for your family to deal with as kindergarten begins. Don’t add too much at once: The start of kindergarten will bring many new opportunities for your child. After school activities like Daisy’s and Cub Scouts all offer new friends and experiences that will enrich both your child and your family. In the beginning, take it slow, only adding in a little at a time. Your child is sure to be tired as she attends a new school, makes new friends, and gets used to a much longer day. Give her time to adjust before filling up her schedule too much. You will soon learn how much activity you and your child can handle; it’s different for each child and for each family. Most of all, enjoy this journey with your child, take lots of pictures, and have the cookies and milk ready to celebrate the first day of school! Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime. Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow. Visit her website at www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks
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Amidst the outbreak of COVID 19, the resulting school cancellations, and the need to distance ourselves from others, comes the obvious question of most parents, “What in the world are we going to do for the next couple of weeks?” For many older children, increased screen time during school shutdowns will be a necessity to keep up with classroom instruction, and it’s also a way for them to interact with friends whom they won’t get to spend as much time with. Given that we are facing a pandemic, these alternatives are the next best thing to being there, and probably a safer bet.
However, what works for older kids isn’t always best for preschoolers. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children between the ages of 2 to 5 only have one hour of screen time each day. This might present a challenge to parents who unexpectedly have kids at home, and still have to get their own work done. Here are a few suggestions to keep the little ones occupied without overdoing on screen time. Have your child help you work: Set up a makeshift desk for your child next to where you work, and give him an assignment. Ask him to practice writing his name, the alphabet or numbers, or simply draw a picture. Get creative with your assignments and you might get a chunk of time to get your own work done. Books on tape or podcasts: Instead of allowing your child to watch their favorite show over and over, have her listen to a book on tape or a podcast. I SPY with a magazine: Give your child a magazine and ask her to circle specific objects, colors, or even letters or numbers. Make a fort: When all else fails, a blanket over the table over a group of chairs is a reliable “go to.” Put some of your child’s favorite toys in the fort and you’re sure to at least get through your emails. In the end, if your preschooler has a little more screen time during the pandemic, it isn’t the end of the world. We all need to be a little kinder to each other and ourselves right now, and there are worse things than a few extra episodes of Daniel Tiger or Sesame Street. Best wishes to all during this time. Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime. Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow. Visit her website at www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks It’s finally March and the first day of spring is almost here! We’re enjoying more hours of sunlight, the birds are providing morning serenades, and daylight savings time is on the horizon. And although these small changes are most welcome, the outside temperature hasn’t quite caught up. If cabin fever is setting in as the winter winds down, try planting some seeds indoors to give your family a small taste of a spring activity and the assurance that better weather is on its way.
Developmentally, this is a perfect activity for preschoolers. Planting doesn’t require too many fine motor skills, and even three year olds can understand that living things need water and nurturing to thrive. Additionally, it’s awe-inspiring at any age to see something grow from a seed. You can find supplies at your local hardware store or box store. You will need potting soil, seeds of your choice, a large bowl or container, a scoop or small shovel, scissors or a knife, a water mister, seed planters in which to plant the seeds (egg cartons, Dixie cups, or bio-degradable seed planters), and a cookie sheet or planting tray to put your seed planters on. Pour some potting soil into the large bowl and add enough water so the soil in well watered; mix well with the shovel. Pierce a small drainage hole in each of your seed planters using scissors or a knife. Scoop the watered potting soil into each seed planter. Add one or two seeds to each planter; read directions on the seed packet to learn how many seeds are recommended per planter and if the seeds should be slightly covered with soil or just remain on top. Place each planter on the planting tray and mist each one with water. Place the tray in a sunny spot. Water as needed, making sure the soil remains damp but not wet. Soon, your seeds will be spouting into small plants that can be transplanted into a flowerpot for you and your family to enjoy, giving your child the satisfaction of watching something he/she planted thrive. And it will remind all of you that warmer weather is on the horizon! Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime. Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow. Visit her website at www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks |
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March 2020
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