Kindergarten Readiness "Tips of the Week"
The Bethel Public School system has created a website of kindergarten readiness information and activities. It can be easily accessed by logging on to:
http://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/subsite/dist/page/kindergarten-readiness-200
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Information and activities are in both English and Spanish. Below is a selection of activities from the Social Skills and Safety Page. Try these at home with your child.
Find out what's happening in Bethelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Social Skills
- Teach your child about emotions- What they feel and how others feel.
o Give your child words to use in social situations to express their feelings
o Intervene only when necessary but generally permit children to work out their problems in a safe way.
o Use pretend play situations to teach children about emotions
o Act out feelings with your child
o Help your child choose solutions to social problems that increase the probability of play or friendships, rather than aggression or rejecting the other child.
o Encourage your child to label feelings of others. If the person is sad ask them how they can make them feel better.
- Talk with your child about his social world
o Ask your child who he/ she plays with, what they play, how they solve conflicts
o Encourage a positive, problem solving attitude by using “What could we do/use?” etc…
o Be calm and supportive when your child is upset
o Don’t dismiss or play down your child’s negative emotions
o In the event of a conflict, be empathic to your child’s situation, try to understand the other child's viewpoint, and help the child brainstorm a variety of solutions
- Play with your child
o Board games are great tools for teaching: cooperative play, taking turns , following, leading, and any academics that go along with the game
o Teach your child the social graces of being a good winner and loser
o Teach your child the simple disappointment of losing a game and that it’s OK to lose
- Provide opportunities for your child to play socially
o Meet friends at the park
o Invite a child over for a play date
o Join a club (like the Bethel Mom’s Club)
- Teach your child how to join a group
o Give your child words to introduce themselves and ask to play
o Give your child words and opportunities to invite others into their play.
- Don't offer material rewards for helpful behavior
o Offer your time and attention instead!
o Recognize and acknowledge when they are doing what you expect. “Catch them being good”
- Help your child follow rules and directions
o Work with your child to establish simple rules to follow
o Have your child state the consequences of not following the rules
o Give your child one and two step directions to follow
o Use natural and logical consequences
- Choose TV programs that promote preschooler social skills as a role model
- Be sure to choose programs that encourage language development and play versus a show that does not model age appropriate skills.
Saftey
- Teach your child to know and say their first and last name, age, address and phone number
- Teach your child their parent/guardian’s first and last name (other than mommy and daddy)
- Talk to your child about the importance of not talking to strangers
- Teach your child the “always-ask-first-rule.”
o Teach your child that he must always ask you or another person in charge first to go somewhere with someone.
o Your child must understand that he must ask first to go away with someone.
o Practice the “always-ask-first-rule” with your child.
o Incorporate the rule during play with dollhouse toys etc…
- Create a fire escape plan for your household and practice it with your child
Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.Superintendent of SchoolsBethel Public SchoolsP.O. Box 253Bethel, CT 06801(203) 794-8601
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