Photo by Naomi Shi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-toddler-eating-on-white-table-1001914/
Have you got a little one who you are starting to think is ready for kindergarten? Kindergarten is a big step that can bring on some nerves, but when you look past the nerves, it brings many benefits – they will get to meet other children their age, it gives you a chance to get back to work and earn a bigger income, they will learn numeracy and literacy skills as well as build independence and confidence.
So the question is, how can you help get your little ones ready for kindergarten? And the answer to that, is there are a lot of things you can do. You can play games that involve multi-step directions, you can speak positively about kindergarten (to help with their expectations), have a kindergarten readiness checklist printed out at home and practise conversation and listening skills at home.
Keep on reading for our guide on getting your little ones ready for kindergarten. We have put together some tips that we hope you can easily take action at home as a family, to get your little one prepared.
Play games that involve multi-step directions
To start with, you can play games that involve multiple-step directions. The reason this is beneficial is because it will help develop their cognitive ability, improve their listening and develop their communication skills. Games like Simon Says encourages them to listen, follow directions when asked and concentrate. When playing a lot at home, you can switch up the rules a little to make it more fun and interesting – any game that is played a lot can become boring!
Set a positive example
Children copy and pick up on your behavioural traits. If you are positive about something, then the chances are, your children will be excited as they think you are. If you are being negative, this can rub off and of course, put them off the experience they are due to have. When you know that kindergarten is starting to approach, start to openly speak about it to them and explain what it is. When explaining, be very positive and create excitement behind it, this way they will get excited that they are going. Being a positive example is so important during any stage of your child’s development.
Practise conversation and listening skills at home.
Being able to listen and hold a conversation can really benefit young children. The sooner you start trying to teach them to have conversations, the easier they will find kindergarten and school as they will have the confidence to speak and engage with others. Having a story time before bed where you read to them can really help and when reading, pausing to ask questions about what you are reading can also help. A good place to encourage talking and listening is when you are having dinner. Here you can ask them about their day, speak about what’s happening over the week and speak positively about kindergarten.
Introduce basic academic concepts
Kindergarten is a lot of fun and will involve a lot of playing and meeting little ones of the same age. Alongside this, they will also be learning basic academic concepts which you can help them learn at home. For example, they will be learning their colours and shapes as well as letters and numbers. At home, to help them with these, you can sing songs that involve the alphabet as well as have toys that promote shapes and colours, such as a shape sorting car. Reading books to them each day can also help and when reading, don’t forget to ask them to point to things in the book, such as the animals or shapes.
Kindergarten is a very positive step in your children’s development, but as mentioned above, it can be nerve-racking, most parents will agree. The sooner you start getting them ready for Kindergarten the easier the transition will be and the easier it will be for you. Remember to get everyone in the household on board to help your little one – this could be your mum, your dad, your partner or any sister and brothers who see your child a lot. The more people that are positive about kindergarten and speak about it to your children, the more comfortable they will hopefully feel.
What advice would you give to someone who is getting their little ones ready for kindergarten? Which of the above tips did you find most useful? Is there anything missing in our guide that you think we should be adding? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you.
Laura x