Kindergarten days are simply relaxing and full of extreme fun. This certainly is the best phase one enjoys at school because there is absolutely no pressure and nor is the child made to study rigorously.
Toddlers enjoy being in kindergarten as they don’t have longer school hours and also; they get to indulge in more of play activities rather than studies. For them, moving into Grade 1 can surely come up as a big change which might be a tad difficult to adapt with.
As your kindergarten kid prepares for his new school year in Grade 1, you will have to take care of some important points so that he doesn’t feel uncomfortable with this new change. If you prepare him accordingly, the new change won’t bother him much and he will adjust with it soon.
Points to take care of :
1. Make your child visit his new class/school whichever the case be
If your child doesn’t need to change school, it won’t be much hard. You can simply take him to his new class and let him have a feel of his new study place. If he needs to switch school, make sure that you take him to visit the new school so that he knows the place. Make the visits as frequent as possible so that child gets comfortable with the new settings. This will help him overcome the fear of being at a new place all on his own.
2. Be a part of orientation programmes
Many schools organize for the orientation programmes for both parents and kids. These programmes help kids get to know of their new class, the school, teachers and other important aspects. Parents also become familiar about the school’s policies, rules and disciplinary principles. It’s one great way of making your toddler know how the new school or class is going to be. It builds up a level of comfort and if you have any doubts or concerns, you can always have the expert panel of teachers to solve them for you.
3. Get to meet your child’s teacher & help build a bond
Kids must get familiar with their teachers and so do you. It helps in building up a bond which facilitates open discussion. Speak to your child’s new class teacher and have an interaction with the subject teachers as well. If you have any concerns, you can always speak to them or if you wish to educate them about anything in particular regarding your child, it can also be done in an effective manner.
4. See if you can make your child meet his classmates too
This may not necessarily be an option available at all schools. But some schools do organize for a workshop sort of one day activity where the kids get a chance to meet all other classmates. If you can avail any such chance, it can be very beneficial as your child will become friendly with his class mates.
5. Prepare your child for the longer hours at school
Now that your child is entering Grade 1, the school timings are going to be longer. This will certainly be a new thing for your child as so far he had to spend lesser hours at school. Some kids find it very hard to adjust to the longer hours. It would be better if you can prepare your child for the same. You can inform him in advance how the school hours will work once he gets into Grade 1. If will know this in advance, he won’t find it that difficult to adjust and also the activities at school will keep him occupied.
6. Make him stay all on his own for some hours a day
As we said, your toddler will now have to spend longer hours in school. This clearly states that he will have to be away from you for longer duration. To prepare him for the same, try making him stay all on his own for some hours in a day. Once he gets used to staying without you for some hours, he will not create a fuss at school.
7. Speak to your child about the new grade
Indulge in some healthy discussion with your child about the new school. Let him know how he will get to learn new stuff, engage in new activities and explore a lot many new things. This will surely excite him about the new class and he will look forward to it.
8. Involve your child in planning for the new class
Be it buying new books, stationary, uniform or any other study material; let your child stay involved in everything you plan for his new class. Being involved excites the child and he takes interest in the same.
9. Introduce him to his new books
The very look of new textbooks excites every child and your little one is certainly no exception. Make him see his new textbooks and let him introduce to the new and interesting subjects he will learn from now on.
10. Talk out his fear & instill positivity
Most kids have this little fear in heart regarding their new class and it’s quite apparent. Recognize the same and try to evade it by talking positive things about their new class. Your support and encouragement will act as a great booster for them.
The new school year in Grade 1 will surely be fun filled and enjoyable for your child if only he is prepared for the same in the right manner!