Kindergarten, Here We Come!

Written by: Michelle Krowiak, LCSW, Ed.S.

As the summer winds down, many feelings begin to swirl around! Excitement and anxiety begin to peak especially for Kindergarten, for both parents and child.

Working to make a child’s school experience transition successful, here are some tips to help ease anxieties and build success.

Rehearsals

Drive by the school your child will be attending to familiarize them. Stop and play on the playground! This is a great way to build excitement as well as prepare them. They will have an pre-existing level of comfort that will build confidence for those first few days. I also recommend lunch rehearsal. Pack their lunch and have them practice independently taking it out, opening their lunch containers, and even how to heat up, if needed. All schools have lunch aides to assist but creating opportunities for independence so your little one who may be too shy to ask for help yet or does not have to wait too long for that help.

Practice the school schedule! Yes, that means those summer lazy sleep in days (at least for my children) need to start getting their school sleep schedule back on rhythm. I can thank high school’s summer sport schedule for kick starting me and my high schooler with early morning wake ups, but now I have to shift my elementary kids back to earlier bedtimes and earlier wakes up times as well.

Books- setting the tone!

Books are great emotional tools that helps prepare for the upcoming transitions as well as the emotions with change. For working on parent attachment and being able to successfully separate, I recommend:

Attachment & Separation

Kissing Hand By Audrey Penn

This book establishes a loving gesture that helps an child detach successfully. This is an easy quick routine to add to your morning send off!

Leap Back Home to Me By Lauren Thompson

This book highlights all different adventures while the parent will be there at home waiting for the child. The message of independence with comfort of a waiting parent will help the kindergarten be ready to “leap” to school!

The Invisible String By Patrice Karst

This book is a fantastic metaphor of how love connects us even when we are not together. I like to pair this book with a small physical transitional object like a ring, necklace, string bracelet etc...

I Love You All Day Long by by Francesca Rusackas

Another simple book that reassures a child of their parents’ love which helps with separation.

Kindergarten Preparedness Here are books that will help set the tone and ease anxieties. When we know what to expect, the unknown becomes less scary!

• Kindergarten Rocks! By Kate Davis
• First Day Jitters by Julie Danneber
• Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
• Off to Kindergarten by Tony Johnston
• Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
• The Night Before Kindergarten. by Natasha Wing
• First Day of School by Mercer Mayer

Managing Your Own Anxiety!

Last but not least, how we, as parents, feel! I know I struggled when my babies went to kindergarten. I still remember happily waving goodbye to my kids oozing confidence for them to absorb. Then, after the school bell rang with all the school children tucked behind the doors as parents shuffled to their cars, I balled crying. I share my story as an example of how it is important to set the tone for our children. If we show anxiety and showing uncertainty, our children will read this and increase their anxieties. So, as Dr. Liz’s says, “Fake it, Until You Make It”. Of course, it is ok for both to be nervous, but this is the time for you to be their rock. And if anyone wants to cry together, I will be balling as I send my oldest to his first day of high school, we can meet up after that bell! Happy First Day of School!

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