Series Part #4: To Help Get Ready for Kindergarten Visit the School
Some of the things that we can do, as parents and caregivers of children starting kindergarten, are as simple as visiting the school. Although many of them are closed for the summer, it is still important to take your child to see the building where s/he will be spending so many days for the next umpteen years. School will become as familiar to kids as their bedrooms but, at the beginning, it is a strange and unknown place.
Spend some time with your child walking around the school building. Usually, schools have many doors and even more windows. What else is there to notice? You can ask your child other questions too, such as: Does the school look like a house? What color is it? Is it all on one level or is there an upstairs? Check out the school yard. Best of all, kids like to play in the playground.
Schools often reopen for a few days before the start of school, If at all possible, take your child to see the inside of the building. Not only will there be a new classroom, but often a music room, library, computer room, and gym will be part of children’s timetable in kindergarten. Sometimes, there is a separate lunch room. If the kindergarten classroom doesn’t have a private bathroom, it’s a good plan to know the location of the washrooms or restrooms. Does your child know how to tell which one is for girls and which one is for boys? These can look very different from the ones at home.
Some children find it easier to cope with change and new things than others. When school starts, the place will be very busy. The school parking lot will be quiet during vacation, but it can be a zoo when school starts. Because the situation can be overwhelming enough, it’s really helpful that kids have some familiarity to start with. It’s easier for grownups too. Have you and your child been able to visit the school?