Starting kindergarten can be both an exciting and challenging time. Your child will now be integrated into a class with other children, and will start their journey of academic learning. Since it is such a large step for young children, there are a few things kids should learn before kindergarten.
Communication Skills
At any age and in any environment, having strong communication skills will always come in handy. At a young age, it can sometimes be difficult to put into words what you need or want. Your child’s teacher will rely heavily on their verbal skills to better understand their needs, as well as conversing with classmates. Developing this skill before starting kindergarten will set them up for success in many ways.
Reading Skills
For many years, children will be exposed to books and will be expected to handle one independently later down the road. A great way to prepare your child for reading readiness would be to include stories before bedtime, encourage reading over screen time, and help them practice sounding out words. A starting point for most children is to learn how to spell their own name. They will practice memorizing the letters used and the sounds they make, eventually applying the practice to school material.
Math Skills
Your child will likely spend a lot of time familiarizing themselves with numbers. A great way to help them practice is to teach them how to count to ten. This will build their numeral foundation, preparing them for larger numbers once class starts. It is helpful to teach them the difference between more and less so that they can understand more complex math concepts in the future.
Social Skills
Whether your child has siblings or not, joining a classroom of unrelated children and a teacher can be quite the transition. They would experience a smoother transition if they are taught how to be a cooperative playmate, how to follow instructions, and how to be without the presence of a parent. Ways to break the ice would be to immerse them into social settings before they start kindergarten, as well as having them practice classroom etiquette at home.
While it might be a large step to make for both children and parents, there are ways to make the jump a lot less scary. Follow some of these tips to prepare your child for this special milestone! Looking for childcare in The Woodlands, Texas? Interested in learning more? Visit our programs page or contact us today!
