DO YOU KNOW?
Do You Know
Do You Know Kindergarten First Day Tips?
Before the big day:
- Take care of paperwork early (registration for the 2013-2014 school year will be on April 11th for Chesterfield and Richmond). Get a school handbook and be familiar with school policies and practices.
- Encourage Independence (dressing and undressing, putting on coats, tying shoes, zipping zippers, and buttoning buttons).
- Teach the Basics and Practice the academic activities that your child will be exposed to during their first year of school. (see "Do You Know?" article number 7 "Do You Know How for You and Your Child To Be Prepared for Kindergarten?")
- Build excitement about the first day of school. Talk with your child about kindergarten. Read a book together about starting school. Let your child know what to expect at school. Identify his anxiety and Address it in a positive and productive way. Try to minimize your own anxiety. First days can be hard, but it gets easier for your child and for you! I promise!
- Take some time away from your child before the first day of school. Let them get used to not being around you all of the time. This will help with separation anxiety.
- Set up play dates with other classmates. Then your child can feel more comfortable, knowing he or she already knows other classmates and friends.
- Take a tour of the school. Meet the teacher.
- Set a schedule and get into a routine. This includes early bedtimes so your child will feel rested and refreshed and ready to take on this new adventure!
On the big day:
- Give you child a little piece of home.
- Have faith in the teachers. All of the kindergarteners and their parents are in the same boat. Experienced kindergarten teachers know how to handle this :)
- Identify his anxiety and Address it in a positive and productive way. Try to minimize your own anxiety. First days can be hard, but it gets easier for your child and for you! I promise!
- Say goodbye, don't sneak out. Let your child know you will be back when school is over for the day. Don’t stay too long. The longer you stay, the harder it can be for your child and the teacher. Say good bye and give hugs and reassure them you will be back and then be on your way.
Kindergarten Registration:
Information about Chesterfield County student registration: http://mychesterfieldschools.com/parents/preparing-for-school/student-registration/
Information about Richmond City student registration: http://web.richmond.k12.va.us/Home/Parents/StudentRegistration.aspx
What to bring (Chesterfield County Schools):
- Bring child (they participate in an evaluation)
- Bring child’s certified original birth certificate; the child’s Social Security number is requested
- Bring parents photo ID and a proof of county residency
- Before School starts, parents must supply medical records showing that their child had a physical examination within the past 12 months and listing the dates of each state-required immunization.
Links:
Check back for more "Do You Know?" facts and tips!
