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Mount Prospect Public Library

Off to Kindergarten!

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Starting Kindergarten is a huge step for kids and grown-ups alike! This fall, your family is going through lots of transitions that include new routines and expectations. Below are tips, tricks, and ideas to make the step into Kindergarten an all-around success.

A mother holds hands with her two children as they walk to school.

The Night Before Kindergarten: Make sure your child gets a good night's rest before the first day. Before going to sleep, your child can set out the clothes they will wear. Some children find a visual schedule or checklist of morning tasks helpful, too! Out the Door Expectations: It can be tricky for some kids to learn that school is not like daycare-it always will start and end at the same time every day. If your child is a slow mover in the morning, practice waking up and doing your full morning routine a few days before school starts. Practice for Lunchtime: Most students will only have around 15 minutes to each lunch, likely less time than your child is used to. Try setting a 15-minute timer for a few meals at home as practice. It's also important that your child can open the containers and items in their lunch box independently-waiting for help could cut into eating time. Bathroom Behavior: It's important that your child feels confident using the bathroom and securing any buttons, ties, or zippers independently (outside of any medical circumstance, of course). It can also be a good time to talk about appropriate and safe choices in the bathroom. Asking for Help: New school, new teacher, new friends: some kids may feel uncertain about who they can ask for help. Talk through what "helpers", teachers, or safe adults will look like at their school (ex: a grown-up wearing your schools name badge). Be the Nice Kid: In Kindergarten, your child will do lots of turn taking, sharing, and collaboration with new friends. You and your child can practice these skills by role playing together or using toys, acting out how to listen when someone is talking, being patient, or showing kindness. The After School Crash: It takes a ton of mental and physical energy for kids to get in the groove of Kindergarten. After keeping it together all day at school, you may find that your child comes home and completely falls apart: big emotions, ravenous appetite, overtired grouchy attitude. Their bodies and brains are exhausted from the day's mental load and it will take a few weeks to build stamina. Cushion the crash by offering a big, protein-rich snack after school because your child might be hungrier than normal. A routine of quiet reading or drawing time after school can also help facilitate a peaceful transition home. Celebrate and take pride in raising such a resilient, kind, amazing child who will do great things. You got this, grown-ups!

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