Formative learning is one of the most critical parts of a child’s academic journey. Young minds are impressionable, and it is crucial to use this phase of their lives to impart as much knowledge as possible to make their educational journey as smooth as possible. Many studies show that a positive learning environment and a positive influence will not only help young minds develop skills to tackle the challenges of academics but will also play a significant role in enhancing their cognitive abilities and developing emotional, social and personal skills.
In this article, we look at how we, the Glendale International School, the best pre-primary school in Hyderabad, advise our parent community to help our students before and during their first day of Kindergarten school!
Before we dive into understanding how to help the kids before their first day at kindergarten, we must understand the importance of readiness while transitioning them into this phase of their lives.
Understanding Pre-School Readiness
The first day of any activity can be both exciting and anxious for children, and as parents and educators, the onus is upon us to recognise and address these feelings. Validating these feelings will help young minds confide in us, which is crucial to helping them become confident individuals from the start! Research has shown that validating children’s feelings allows them to persist in an activity for longer and eventually find growth in that activity.
Helping children prepare for their first day at school need not be as daunting as it sounds. Parents can start by helping their children build a routine and a series of activities a few months or days before the first day of school. This will allow children to adapt to the changes over time and make it easy for them to be prepared before their first day at school!
Here are a few things that we, as the best international school in Hyderabad, advise our parent community to start within the comfort of their home before the first day of kindergarten!
Familiarising Your Child With The Pre-School Environment
Pre-school can be a fun way to start the learning journey of every child, but it can also be an unfamiliar place for children as this would be their first venture outside the comfort of their house without the presence of their parents/caretakers.
Various studies have shown that familiarising children with the elements that might be present in their new environment can positively impact their transition phase. We recommend parents introduce their children to toys and learning tools at home, as it will allow them to experience the elements before they start school.
We also advise parents to help their children familiarise themselves with a few first-day of pre-school activities, like self-introduction, basic communication, and a few physical activities like passing the ball. These activities will help children gain much-needed confidence from the beginning, and that momentum will help them in the long run!
Establishing A Consistent Routine
Establishing a routine can be one of the most difficult tasks for parents and students, and that is why we recommend parents start developing a routine around the school’s timing months before the school begins!
Practising a school routine will help kids quickly adapt to the new timings while at the same time helping parents carve out time to schedule the child’s resting patterns, which is crucial in this phase of their lives. Research has shown that having a consistent routine can also positively impact the child as it allows them to utilise all their time effectively without compromising on fun activities and academics!
Parents can also introduce children to the first day of kindergarten activities while establishing a consistent routine around the school’s timing, and this multi-task preparedness will not only help save time but also allow the young minds to adapt quickly!
Preparing For Separation Anxiety
A new school away from parents and home can be challenging for children, and it is important to address this problem. The teachers at the Glendale International School, the best pre-school in Hyderabad, advise parents to follow the following tips to prepare themselves and their children for separation anxiety:
- Create a goodbye ritual
- Keep the byes short and quick.
- Validate their feelings
- Practice goodbyes
- Avoid repeated goodbyes
- Make plans for after-school
- Keep your promise
- Stay calm
- Prepare a routine &
- Practice separation as much as possible with the help of family members.
Consistently practising these activities with children will reduce separation anxiety and help children transition to an exciting phase of their lives smoothly!
Encouraging Social Skills
Social skills are an integral part of learning and boost children’s confidence. Parents can prepare their children by introducing other kids in the same age group during school tours or within the family or their residential society! Talking to kids regularly and encouraging them to speak up with you and others will help them transition into making friends in school easily.
Social skills can also encourage young minds to interact with teachers and confidently express their curiosity, interest and doubts. Numerous studies and research over the years have shown that developing social skills in early learning years will enhance grasping and learning in young minds, which is essential for a positive schooling experience! Parents can include conversations as an activity to help kids enjoy their first day of pre-school activities.
Preparing For Practical Skills
Encouraging practical skills like writing and reading can be an excellent way to promote and stimulate young minds. These activities will help children develop cognitive abilities from a very young age and give them a positive experience during kindergarten school days.
Practical skills go beyond academics. Parents can encourage kids to develop and take basic hygiene seriously while at the same time encouraging them to do simple tasks like combing hair and brushing their teeth independently. Parents should also teach children to keep their environment clean as it benefits them and their peers who mirror their friends’ actions! Practical skills can also involve helping young minds learn the importance of empathy and sharing, which will benefit them in the long run!
Building Independence
Children are quick learners and curious by nature; with the proper guidance, kids can become independent while performing basic tasks like brushing their teeth, combing their hair, washing their dishes and cleaning up their toys after using them. These activities will help young minds experience a sense of responsibility from a young age and make them more confident in the coming years!
Preparing For The First
The day before the first day of school, parents can prepare their children by following the same routine while communicating with them the things they can expect on their first day at school. Parents can also encourage children to make new friends, try positive reinforcement to boost their mood, and cheer them up for their big day! These actions will create positivity around the thought of the first day at school and prepare them to be part of various first-day of pre-school activities with confidence and joy!
Communicate
Talk to your children as much as possible; tell them what they can expect in school and how fun it will be to make new friends and learn new things. Please encourage them to confide with you about their feelings and be vocal about their challenges. This shows the children that they are not alone in this journey and that their parents are always there to help!
Parental Involvement
Attend as many school tours as possible; we at Glendale International School encourage all parents to get to know their children’s teachers and understand the curriculum. We also encourage them to clarify any doubts regarding the school and the programs offered to our students. Lastly, be part of your child’s early learning years, attend programs conducted by the school and be part of the learning group to show your kids that they are not alone!
We hope this comprehensive article has prepared you for this exciting phase of your children’s lives. We encourage you to visit our website by clicking here and exploring the many programs we offer to choose the right one for your kids! For more such interesting articles, click here!
