Advice on what to expect when your child begins kindergarten, along with what supplies they'll need and how to approach the first day of class.
The school will normally hold an "open house" which allows parents to go meet the new teachers and see the classroom. The youngster can see what his room will look like and meet some of the other kids. Often after the open house, the kids are raring to go, but on the exact day, there still can be hesitation on the part of the child. Remind the child that he will only be gone a short while and that you will be waiting for him to return. Also remind him that you will be coming to the school on occasion to have lunch or attend programs. It helps for the child to understand that you are not giving him away, just letting him go to play, learn and meet new friends.
At the open house, you will be given a list of items that the child needs to bring on the first day of school. Included items are tissue, a resting mat, lunch box or lunch money, pencils, paper, crayons and a change of clothing, in case of an accident. The accident might not be a bathroom accident, but could be the spilling of a drink from one student onto the next, so be sure and include the second outfit. Also, label everything. Write your child's name on the inside of their coat, their sleeping mat, lunch box, crayon box, book bag and all other items that your child will take. Some kids have exactly the same coat and no one needs the confusion over deciding which coat belongs to which student.
Kindergarten classes normally get out earlier than other classes. Your child can ride the bus or can be picked up by yourself or another individual, but you must let the teacher know ahead of time. If you won't be picking up your child, but the babysitter will, the sitter might be required to show her identification before the child will be released. Many kindergarten classrooms require the parents to make a list of people who might be picking up the child. If you ask someone to pick up the child who isn't on the list, you will probably be required to send a written note, or the teacher might call you at work or home for verification.
Having already attended pre-school will make the transition easier for your child, if they were enrolled. If not, the child could cry, beg, scream, throw tantrums, or he may walk right in and get busy, ignoring you completely. When dropping your child off for the first day, don't linger. This only assures the child that you're concerned about leaving. Even if the child is crying, as hard as it is to do, leave. The child will be encouraged by the teacher to participate and eventually, he will.
