Is your child getting ready to start school? If so, you may be wondering how you can help them prepare. Luckily, there are plenty of fun ways to get your pre-k kid ready for school this summer! Here are a few ideas:
Organized For Success
Visit the library together and check out some books about going to school. You can also look for books that teach the alphabet, numbers, and shapes. Talk about what your child will do during the day at school. This can help them feel more comfortable and excited about going. Encourage your child to practice writing their name, and memorizing their address and phone number. Write them down on paper to put in their pocket for the first day just in case, especially if your child will be riding the school bus.
Summer Camp
Now is the time to reinforce your child’s social skills by hosting playdates with other children or going to summer camp. Summer camps like Galileo Learning camps. This will help your child feel more comfortable around other kids their age and better prepared for group activities at school. Additionally, many camps are filled with learning new skills are trying different activities or hobbies that they wouldn’t have considered otherwise. It also reminds them that they aren’t navigating new territory all alone.
Tend the Emotional Garden
Talk about the different emotions your child might feel during the first few days of school. This can help them understand and cope with any nervousness they may have. Children handle going to school very differently and your child may surprise you with how excited they are to go. But, if your child has reservations, that’s ok too. Just take things at their pace and be there to support them every step of the way. The less they feel disconnected from their current daily routine, the more they will adjust to their new school routine.
School Resources
Don’t forget, you can also contact your child’s school for tips on helping them prepare for the big day! You might ask about scheduling a tour of the school or meeting the teacher ahead of time. Something as simple as knowing where to find the bathrooms and what they look like may feel insignificant to an old pro like you, but to a first-time schoolgoer, it could be the difference between a good day and a bad day. Building your child’s confidence about how to navigate the cafeteria, playground, or school bus will lay a foundation for a new chapter your child will happily dive into.
Lastly, remember to enjoy the summer! Go on some fun outings, have some picnics, and make lots of memories. These will be precious moments that you and your child will always look back on fondly. Good luck and have fun!
