Now that Summer is winding down, it’s time to think about heading back to school. One of the biggest challenges for child care providers is getting their kids ready for the classroom. Some of the older children have already experienced this back-to-school process, but for younger kids, it may be their first time ever heading into a classroom setting.
Where do I start?
There are certainly a lot of things to think about when getting kids ready for their first day of kindergarten, but it’s important to start with an easy transition.
This process can start early, like in March, ahead of school starting in August. The key is getting a good routine in place.
“I think a lot of times with transitions, we need to have them on a good daily schedule. One of the biggest things is nap time. Kindergarten is a full day program, and they don’t get naps anymore. Transition them out of naps is the biggest piece,” said Carli Meek, Director of Imagine U.
Meek is also a child care provider who has been working with kids for over 20 years. She says the transition to kindergarten can be daunting for some kids.
“They need to have a lot of peer model coaching, like figuring out how to make friends, meeting new people, trust new people so they can be ready to learn,” said Meek.
Part of the daily routine should also include things that they would normally do in kindergarten like tying their own shoes, learning to use the restroom properly, and having time to eat their meals.
“Children are pretty resilient and adaptive, as long as you are doing the same structure with them daily,” Meek said.
What can parents do to help?
Child care providers can get a lot of help from parents as well during this transition. Since providers only see the kids for a small part of the day, parents hold a lot of responsibility when it comes to routine and teaching everyday activities.
“If a child has been with you a while, and following the structure, it will be an easy transition. If they have been with their parents for the past four years, and don’t have structure, it can be difficult,” said Meek.
It’s important for parents to take a little extra time to learn about what kids will be experiencing in kindergarten and make sure you are ready for what they will experience.
“Parent learning is one of the biggest pieces. Things like getting a schedule from their school, figuring out transportation, or getting a waiver for trips to and from school are important,” said Meek.
What are the biggest obstacles?
According to Meek, fear is the number one obstacle kids will face when transitioning to kindergarten. Fear of the unknown is natural, but it’s important to make sure they know what to expect so they are not shocked when they walk into the classroom.
“Talk to the kids, show them videos of fun activities kindergarten teachers do in their classroom, read books they could be reading in school. Get them used to what’s happening,” Meek said.
Both parents and child care providers can help with this. Kids just want to be heard and understood.
“Talk to your kids, meet them where they are, and assure them that they will be fine, and you will be there to pick them up,” said Meek.
“We as parents are the ones they are used to and let them know that you will be there when they are done with class.”
Can other kids help in the transition?
Some child care providers may have older kids that have already gone to school. This can be a big help for the younger kids who have not experienced kindergarten yet.
“Especially in family child care this helps a lot. They have seen their older peers going to school for years,” Meek said.
The younger kids can learn from the older kids about what they can expect in the classroom, what the teachers are like, or even what recess is like. This can be a big help.
“I think that’s why kids that have been in programs for a while are used to it, and know that that is the natural progression,” said Meek. “Share the unknown with them so that they know what is coming next.”
Kids are resilient
Although the transition to kindergarten may seem like a daunting task, keep in mind that kids are resilient. They are ready to learn and ready to adapt to new schedules but just make sure to ease them into their new routine.
Kids will feel fear or confusion at some point, and as providers, it’s important to listen to their concerns, and make sure they feel heard.
Remember also to always be patient during the process, and don’t forget to have fun!