Welcome to Kindergarten Round-Up 2013

1. Welcome to Kindergarten Round-Up 2013 Federal and State Programs Special thanks to OA Peterson Elementary School Fort Worth, Texas for their PowerPoint ideas and information

2. Registration • Complete the necessary paper required by your school. • Familiarize yourself with the office area and personnel so that you feel comfortable in communication. • Know the names of the language facilitator, guidance counselor, parent coordinator/liaison and administrator. • Ask for a calendar for the school year.

3. Practice with your Child at Home • Fine motor skills: cutting, coloring, lacing, holding a pencil • Counting objects • Sorting, creating and recognizing patterns • Recognizing alphabets and sounds • Managing bathroom needs • Independently buttoning pants, shirts, coats, tying shoes, and zipping zippers • Writing and knowing their full name, address, phone number, and birthday • Reading with your child every night • The school rules, just like there are rules at home • Good listening skills, not interrupting, sharing, and good manners

4. Adjusting to the First Days of Kindergarten • Starting School is Exciting: • Buy a new back pack, lunch box, or school shoes together and make it a big deal! They are now BIG boys and girls! • Involve them in some of the decisions to give them ownership over going to school such as what to wear each day.

5. Adjusting to the First Days of Kindergarten • Saying Goodbye • Make your goodbyes cheerful and brief. • Try to avoid coming back to the classroom after you have already said goodbye. • Some children respond well to a planned ritual (example: 2 hugs and a thumbs up). • “Quick goodbyes leave dry eyes!”

6. Adjusting to the First Days of Kindergarten • Responding to Distress/Tears: • Do not scold the child’s distress or fear. • Remain positive that you will see them at the end of the school day. • Remind them how they will make new friends, play at recess, etc. • Tell them what you will be doing while they are at school; at work, grocery shopping, etc. • Avoid letting them see you sad , children of all ages can sense when adults are scared, worried or upset.

7. Home Ideas for Adjusting to School • Big Building, More children: • Some children express anxiety of the unknown such as, a new environment and making new friends. • Pep talks at home: “You’re so lucky you get to go to a brand new big school. Who have you met? Have you seen your brother or sister in the hallway?”

8. Home Ideas for Adjusting to School • Help your child write a letter or draw a picture for his/her teacher. • Review the school and classroom rules at home with your child, feel free to let them ask questions. • Talk to your child about their concerns. If necessary, bring them up with the teacher or school counselor. We are here to help!

9. Home Ideas for Adjusting to School • Plan a play date - find a new friend of your child’s, get to know the family and plan some play time. • Play the name game - have your child draw pictures and write the name of the people they know at school. • Make an “All-About-School” Booklet - about their favorite part of each school day. • Draw a Home-to-School Map - create a poster, of how they get to school. This could be a fun family project!

10. Academics and Curriculum • Get familiar with the Kindergarten curriculum and what is expected of your child by the end of the year. • Practice at night and on the weekends to reinforce what they are learning at school. • They grow so much both academically and socially in only one year!

11. Academics and Curriculum • The Gift of a Good Book: • Try to read with your child every day! • Books help children build vocabulary, learn concepts of print, develop listening skills, and enjoy reading! • After you read a book - talk about the characters, their favorite part, new words they learned and words they already know! • Lead by example, let them see you reading. • Get ideas from the school book list! 