ECU Expert Offers Tips For Kindergarten Preparation | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This article was originally create by the ECU News Services.

    In just a few weeks, children will begin a new school year — an important transition for all families. But for children who will have their first academic experience as they enter kindergarten need extra support. ECU professor Ashley Norris in the Department of Child Development and Family Relations has provided the following strategies for supporting a rising kindergartener and preparing as a family.

Independent Skills

    Prepare kindergarteners for school expectations that they be independent — responsible for working by themselves and putting materials away when finished. Encourage these skills by requiring children to clean up toys daily. Children will also be responsible for putting on jackets and toileting procedures. Encourage them to dress themselves for practice with buttons, zippers and belts. Prepare for more responsibilities at meal times by practicing techniques such as opening and closing lunchboxes and packages. The more independent the child, the smoother the classroom will function.

Social Skills

    Children beginning kindergarten will need social skills to succeed. Encourage them to communicate their needs and feelings appropriately to their teachers and also with their peers. As a former teacher, I would have children walk up to me and place their untied shoes in front of me and just wait. I would wait for them to tell me what they needed before I would tie their shoe. This was to help encourage them to communicate their needs to me so that they could also do so with their peers. Even if you know what your child wants, encourage them to ask or tell you before you respond to nonverbal cues.

Academic Skills

    Kindergarteners will be encouraged to write their first name immediately starting the school year. This will help them be more independent as they complete work throughout the day. Letter identification and letter sound identification will be helpful for them. Encourage children to notice letters in their environment with games like "letter I-Spy" at the grocery store. Incorporate reading books into the bedtime routine to prepare soon-to-be kindergarteners to enjoy books that will be read during the school day and to understand behavioral expectations associated with reading a book.

    Kindergarten is a big transition for children and for families. Try to make practicing the skills kindergarteners will need fun and playful, bonding experiences.
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