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Back to School 2015
Getting ready for kindergarten
S
chools across the country are getting ready to once again
open their doors and welcome new and returning students.
The newest crop of kindergarteners will be among the fresh faces
roaming the hallways and classrooms, and parents can take steps
to make this transition go more smoothly.
Although many children attend preschool, kindergarten typically marks
a child's initial foray into formal education. It can be a time of wonder,
new experiences and rapid educational growth. Kindergarten also can
stimulate nerves and fears about the unexpected. Preparing children for
kindergarten requires a little finesse to make this significant milestone in
a kid's life that much more special.
• Speak often about kindergarten. Talking openly and excitedly
about kindergarten is one way to spur a child's interest in school.
As the fi rst day of school approaches, bring it up in conversa-
tion and see how your youngster feels about kindergarten. Some
children are anxious to begin this new chapter in their lives, while
others are daunted by the prospect of starting school. Understand-
ing how your child feels about kindergarten can help you more
effectively deal with any apprehension he or she might have.
• Schedule a tour. Some schools have programs in place to intro-
duce incoming kindergarteners to the school and the curriculum.
For others, you may have to request a visit to the school. Such
visits can be helpful, especially if your child does not have an older sibling already in
the school and is completely unfamiliar with the building. Sometimes just being able
to see what the school and kindergarten classroom looks like is aa enough to assuage
fears.
• Start adjusting kids' schedules. Summer vacation and pre-kindergarten life may be
about retiring to bed late and waking up much later than the start of a typical school
day. But such schedules are no longer realistic once kids begin school. Help kinder-
garteners-to-be acclimate to their new schedules by gradually changing their bed times
and wake times in the weeks leading up to the fi rst day of school. Five-year-olds need
between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night.
• Let kids choose some school supplies. Encourage youngsters to join you as you shop
for school supplies, which may excite kids about school and help them feel more ac-
tively involved. That new backpack or folder your child picked out can be a source of
pride and a security blanket for the fi rst few days of school.
• Encourage kids' independence. A kindergarten teacher will be supportive and nur-
turing but will not be a substitute parent for the class. Children should be able to do
certain things for themselves when en-
tering kindergarten. Taking their jackets
on and off, packing up their belongings,
cleaning up toys and other supplies
and following directions are just a few
things kids should be able to do on
their own upon entering kindergarten.
It may be tempting to do everything for
your preschooler, but kids who are too
dependent may struggle to acclimate to
kindergarten.
• Encourage kids to spend time with
their peers. Your child may benefi t from
spending time with other kids their age
and sharing their expectations of kin-
dergarten. Such dialogue can remove some of the unknown of starting school.
• Don't pressure kids at the last minute. There is no way to cram when preparing for
your kindergartener's fi rst day of school. Rushing through fl ash cards or quizzing kids
on the alphabet may just make them nervous about the start of school.
• Make note of the similarities between preschool and kindergarten. Kindergarten may
not be so different from preschool, and such familiarity can make the transition that
much easier for youngsters. Some
Creswell Christian School
preschools mirror the curriculum of
635 Holbrook Lane, Creswell, Oregon
the local elementary school district,
Serving our community’s children and their families for over 37 years
introducing students to the types of
lessons they eventually will learn
in kindergarten. Make note of these
similarities in an effort to calm any
jitters kids may have about starting
school.
Students at Creswell Christian School grow intellectually, emotionally
and spiritually in a setting where God is honored; where they are provided
a strong foundation for building confidence and self esteem as they prepare
for their future; and where Godly character is developed through
the examples of teachers and other students.
Creswell Christian School . . .
Is Family Orientated
Has Low Teacher/ Student Ratio
Offers Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade in
Traditional Classroom Formats
Has Financial Assistance Available
Member of the Association of Christian Schools International and
The Oregon Federation of Independent Schools
Accredited by the National Association of Private Schools
541.895.4622
www.CreswellChristianSchool.com
CreswellChristianSchool@Centurytel.net