Bring up the subject of school.
-- Attending school should be an exciting new adventure, not a
mystery for children. Discuss the activities a child should
expect in kindergarten. Encourage older siblings or neighborhood
children to share their positive kindergarten experiences.
Make reading a priority.
-- Research shows children who spend time reading with their parents
enter kindergarten better prepared for learning. Visit a local
library to help kick start a child's reading skills. Try finding
books about the first day of kindergarten.
Vaccinate, before it is too late.
-- According to California law, children cannot enter kindergarten
without up-to-date immunizations. Receiving required immunizations
is an important step in preventing disease and helping children
grow up healthy and ready to learn.
Set a schedule.
-- Starting school offers an array of new experiences for children.
To help ease a child's transition, set a schedule at home that
closely resembles his or her school schedule. Following this
schedule will help ensure children receive plenty of rest before
their first day and adjust to a routine before they enter the
classroom.
Practice basic skills.
-- Practicing certain activities can help ensure that children are
not only comfortable in the classroom, but also perform well. For
example, it is most helpful for children to practice writing their
names, know how to line up and be able to use common school
supplies such as glue sticks, scissors and crayons. Children
equipped with these basic skills are often more confident on their
first day and beyond.
Visit the school.
-- To help calm a child's nerves before the first day of
kindergarten, visit the school to become familiar with the new
surroundings. If possible, allow the child to explore the school
grounds and point out areas or activities he or she is sure to
enjoy. Ask if the child's teacher is available to meet so the
child recognizes a friendly face on the first day.
Encourage decision making.
-- Give children choices to encourage decision making and teach
responsibility. Involve children in deciding which outfit to wear
on the first day, what nutritional lunch or snack to pack, and
what school supplies to purchase.
For more back to school tips or for information about school readiness
programs, please call First 5 California at 1-800-KIDS-025 (English) or
1-800-50-NIÑOS (Spanish).
About First 5 California
First 5 California, also known as the California Children and Families
Commission, was established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November
1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education,
health, childcare and other programs for expectant parents and children
ages 0 to 5. For more information, please visit www.first5california.com.
Contact Information: CONTACT: Malina Brown 310-552-4150