A beautiful gal, Megan Burks, is a Kindergarten Teacher in Northern Virginia and I have known for years. I recently asked her for advice for a 1st time mom sending her 1st child to Kindergarten! I'm sharing it with you! Enjoy!
Kindergarten is SUCH a fun age and a great time to be in school. The beginning may be a bit rocky for your child as well as the parent. With that said, keep everything as routined as possible from the very beginning. It may be easier on your heart to (for example: drive her to school the 1st day instead of putting her on the bus). My advice is DON'T...resist the temptation...no matter how sad/anxious you/her may feel, pump her up and cry later. :) From my experience the kids adjust SO much faster, if the parents are consistent with routine from the 1st day. Plan a special outing with just her the afternoon of the big day, too. She'll have something to look forward to all day.
If you're able...volunteer in the classroom. Let her teacher know that you'd be willing to do whatever. I love when parents are specific (ie: room mom, take home folder stuffer, prepare teaching materials, work with small groups of kids, work in the library, etc.).
Don't be afraid to communicate with her teacher about WHATEVER. I just had open house and dealt with a bawling mother and a parent who asked if there was a phone that her son could talk to her on during the day. :) Don't feel silly for sharing a question/emotion...let her know this is your first go around with kindergarten.
Lastly, don't feel pressure to compare or comment on various students' progress. The number one question i get at conferences is: 'where does he/she rank among the other kids.' HATE THAT ??!!! and I never answer it. Kindergarten (in my opinion) is about having fun, and growing socially...learning how to be at school and explore the learning process. Some parents stick their noses' into business that isn't theirs. I don't know where your child at socially or academically, but just know that everything evens out at the end of the year... PROMISE! Curriculum wise handwriting is a toughy and will bring about frustration at some point...just go with it and keep practicing...same with learning money (that's the toughest math unit for my kiddos).
Things to practice on a regular basis: writing first/last name, learning sight words, knowing letter ID and letter sounds.
All in all--stay consistent from the beginning, be postive, share your thoughts with the teacher and get involved in some way at the school. It really will be a fantastic year, it's just making it a part of everyones' routine that takes getting used to.
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