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