The transition from kindergarten to school can be a big one for both children and parents. It’s normal for children (and adults!) to feel some anxiety about starting school, but there are a few things parents can do to help ease the transition. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to make the kindergarten transition smoother for everyone involved.

1. Talk to your child about what to expect. It can be helpful to sit down with your child and talk about what school will be like. This could include discussing things like the daily schedule, meeting new friends, and having a new teacher. Answering any questions your child has about school will help reduce any anxiety they may be feeling.

2.  Visit the school together. This will help your child familiarize themselves with their new surroundings and give them a sense of what their new school looks like.

3. Get involved in your child’s schooling from the start! Showing an interest in your child’s schooling from the very beginning sets the tone for parent-teacher communication later on and lets your child know that you value their education right from the get-go! Volunteering in the classroom or going on excursions are great ways to get started.

4. Make sure they get plenty of rest. Starting school can be exhausting, so make sure your child is well-rested before their first day. This means making sure they go to bed at a reasonable hour and getting rid of afternoon naps if possible.

5. Review basic skills at home. Before starting Prep, it’s a good idea to review some basic skills with your child at home such as asking for help, recognising the need to use the bathroom, dressing themselves, putting shoes and socks on, and opening small packets in lunch boxes. It’s also good to have a talk about choosing lunch box items throughout the day so as to not eat everything in one go.  Following simple one step instructions is also a basic skill to practice, and you can practice this at home by playing simple games such as “Simon Says” or singing the song “ If you’re happy and you know it…….” .   These skills will help them feel more confident and self-sufficient at school.

6. Set up a positive morning routine. Starting school can mean early mornings! To help ease into this change, establish a positive morning routine leading up to the first day of class. This could involve things like setting out clothes the night before, eating breakfast together as a family, or reading stories together before getting dressed for school. Having a set routine will help your child (and you!) feel more prepared for those early mornings.

7. Send your child off with a smile. On that first big day, send your child off with a smile and tell them how proud you are of them! Seeing you happy and excited will help boost their confidence as they embark on this new adventure.

The transition from kindergarten to school is a big step for both kids and parents! By following these tips, you can help make the process smoother for everyone involved. The most important thing is to communicate with your child and show an interest in their schooling from the very beginning—this will set the tone for parent-teacher communication down the road and let your child know that you value their education right from the start!