The first day of kindergarten is a special occasion for parents as their kids embark on their learning journey. For young learners, the first day of kindergarten is one of the most significant milestones to begin learning.
A american primary school in Riyadh offers a good learning experience to young learners. So your child will be learning beyond ABCs and other subjects. In such schools, young learners’ emotional and social skills are developed, helping them form relationships and build a love for learning.
To provide your child with an immersive learning experience, you need to help them get ready for the first day.
Here are the best ways to go about it.
Tips to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten
Tip 1: Get your child to meet the teacher
Kindergarten schools in Riyadh allow in-person visits before the classes begin – check with the school if that is possible. Visiting the school and getting familiar with the premises will prepare kids for their first day and help them get into a comfort zone.
Tip 2: Read Books about the first day of kindergarten
Parents, it would be helpful if you got books on “how to prepare for school”. This way, you can prepare kids for kindergarten so that they can have fun on their first.
A few fantastic choices as per teachers are:
- Kindergarten, Here I Come! By D. J. Steinberg
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- David Goes to School by David Shannon
- Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Tip 3: Rehearse getting ready
The first day of school can be tricky for parents and kids, such as early morning routines, getting the backpack ready, getting dressed, etc. Since kindergarten will be their first introduction to formal education, you should familiarize kids with these busy mornings.
Carry out a few practice runs each morning with your child. Set the alarm, and teach them how to get ready – brush their teeth, put on their shoes, have breakfast, etc., all within a time frame that they will have on a typical school morning.
This way, you can help your child anticipate school days better, and it is the perfect way to eliminate any surprises on day one of school.
Tip 4: Master Basic Skills
Kindergarten is the first formal place where your child will learn basic skills and develop etiquette and habits that will stick with them for their entire lives. According to experienced kindergarten teachers, children should be prepared with basic skills to feel more at ease in class.
Suppose your child already has some skills, like counting to ten, holding a pencil, recognizing their name, using child-friendly scissors, and dressing themselves.
In that case, it will make them more confident and keep them ahead of the curve.
You can casually ease these basic skills into their daily routines over the summer. Have a ‘wearing-socks’ or ‘tying shoe laces’ race, make them color and introduce new words when chatting with them.
Tip 5: Acquaint them with Self-Care Skills
Young learners should know how to care for their basic needs when they start kindergarten school in Riyadh. This includes washing their hands, going to the bathroom, and dressing. And the best way to prepare them for these self-care activities is to make them practice.
As a parent, ensure that your child washes their hands well and follows proper hygiene practices. Teach them to blow their nose or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away, wash their hands properly pre and post-meals and imbibe more such habits the way they should be done.
Tip 6: Socialize them
Kindergarten is all about meeting new faces for the time being, getting along with classmates, and making new friends. To familiarize them with the concept of socializing, arrange some play dates, take turns, make them share their things, organize fun activities and make them practice social skills. You can practice conversation skills with your child by showing interest, asking questions, and maintaining eye contact.
Tip 7: Go Shopping
The weeks before school starts, stores stock up on school merchandise and have back-to-school sales. Something fun and magical about shopping for school induce excitement in the child. Take your child shopping before school, like picking out their new school clothes, pencil case, backpack, water bottle, and lunch box. This will help children who are nervous or apprehensive get excited.
Lastly, relax. Don’t make a big deal about going to school. The most vital thing you as a parent can do to get your child ready for the first day of kindergarten is to chill out and relax. Once children go to school, you must let go and allow them to find their bearings in the new learning environment.
Tip 8: Surprise him with a gift at lunch or a snack
Send him a short message expressing your affection. He probably can’t read yet, so his teacher will read the note to him, but he’ll love having a special note from his parents. Additionally, he will be aware of your thoughts when he is at school.
