Return to Headlines
My child is (or isn't) reading? Is that OK?
It is most important for rising kindergarteners to have had multiple opportunities to engage with books. Parents should read aloud to their children as a way to familiarize them with letters, words, sentence structures and books.
We don't know any other rising kindergartners at my child's school and she's worried about not having any friends there (and leaving all of her preschool friends). How can I help ease her anxiety?
How can I be involved in my child's classroom? I've heard some teachers don't want parents in there until they establish some kind of routine.
My Kid's Starting Kindergarten! Help!
You've got enough to worry about. What with the clothes and the shoes and getting just the right book bag.
You have a lot of questions about getting your child off on the right foot from Day One in kindergarten. And we have some of the most important answers.
First things first. Make sure you have your child registered for school. Then, consult this checklist to determine his or her readiness for school.
Finally, we worked in partnership with WRAL's GoAskMom.com to answer some of these often-asked questions:
My child is still taking a nap. Will there be any kind of nap time? How can I help my child transition to this new routine?
Offering nap time in kindergarten is at the discretion of the school. Some schools allow nap time for kindergarten students during the first quarter, and some schools do not. Usually teachers gauge the students’ need for a nap and adjust accordingly. Kindergarten teachers tend to transition from naptime to rest time on the table before eliminating nap time. Parents can help by allowing students to go to bed earlier, which may alleviate the need for a daytime nap.
My child is (or isn't) reading? Is that OK?
Yes! It is helpful for rising kindergarteners to have some basic understanding of the alphabet, that letters make words and print carries meaning. Kindergarten teachers will meet students where they are and are accustomed to instructing a variety of reading abilities. The joy of teaching is to take students where they are and grow them into fluent readers.
It is most important for rising kindergarteners to have had multiple opportunities to engage with books. Parents should read aloud to their children as a way to familiarize them with letters, words, sentence structures and books.
We don't know any other rising kindergartners at my child's school and she's worried about not having any friends there (and leaving all of her preschool friends). How can I help ease her anxiety?
Most elementary schools offer kindergarten orientation, which presents an opportunity for both parents and kindergarten peers to connect. Additionally some schools schedule a social event prior to the start of school for kindergarten families. The beginning of kindergarten is also spent teaching students how to learn and play together, so they will have ample opportunities to make friends.
How can I be involved in my child's classroom? I've heard some teachers don't want parents in there until they establish some kind of routine.
Most teachers love having parents involved in the classroom. Teachers like at least 2 weeks to establish routines until parents are a part of their classroom. Some kindergarten students experience separation anxiety from parents. Teachers like to have time in the beginning of the year to overcome anxiety issues and ease students into a routine before parents visit. If your child has a difficult time separating from you, you will not want to volunteer until they have overcome this. Volunteering too soon could possibly increase anxiety because the child will separate from the parents twice. Parents can help by asking their children questions about their day at school and by keeping fluid, two-way communication with the teacher.
My child is really active, and I'm worried that he won't be able to sit still for as long as required. How can I help him settle down so he's ready to learn? What kind of things do teachers do to help kids like this?
Kindergarten teachers adapt instruction to meet the needs of the students. They teach in small chunks of time and incorporate song and movement to keep students engaged and maintain their attention. At the beginning of the year, most teachers keep their students in sitting positions for about 15 minutes. They alternate from sitting activities to active activities. As the year progresses, students build their stamina.
By establishing a homework routine, parents can help their child learn to focus for an adequate amount of time. Reading aloud to your child is a great opportunity to increase your child’s ability to focus and engage.