12 Tips to Prepare Your Child for the First Day of Kindergarten
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Get real advice on how to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten from other moms who have lived to tell the tale!
If you’re a nervous wreck trying to figure out how to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten, you’re not alone!
Starting Kindergarten is a huge milestone for both you and your little one. So many new things that are extremely excited but also a bit nerve wracking at the same time.
A key to successful first day (and year) of Kindergarten to be as prepared as possible! Simply follow these 12 simple tips for a flawless first day!
This post is all about how to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten!
1. Read books about school
An easy way to get the conversation rolling about kindergarten is through books!
There are so many wonderful books about the first day of kindergarten. These books explore emotions, expectations and encourage excitement!
The great thing about books is that they spark conversations and questions. It’s fun to read all about this new adventure they’re about to go on but it’s also so important to talk together about it and answer any questions they may have!
2. Go school supplies shopping together
Whether you shop online on in store, include your kiddo!
I know many of us have very fond memories of being a kid and heading to the store for back to school supplies shopping! Let’s continue this tradition!
There may be restrictions on what color binders they need but they can still pick their backpack, lunchbox, etc.
I remember this was my daughters turning point of excitement and less nervousness about starting school!
3. Don’t skip meet the teacher night
Okay, this one is huge!
Do NOT skip meet the teacher night if at all possible!
This night is so important and a really great opportunity to build up your kiddos confidence in where they’re going to be. Explore the playground, the lunch room, library.. all the things!
Try to be as prepared as possible ahead of time if you want a super successful meet the teacher night for both you and your little one!
{Related post: 7 Meet The Teacher Tips For Parents You Should Probably Know!}
4. Be organized and prepared
Speaking of being prepared and organized – the more prepared you are, the more relaxed and prepared your child will feel!
There’s a lot of “behind the scene” stuff that goes into getting your kid enrolled and ready for Kindergarten that you may not be prepared for. If you wait too long, you’ll be stressed and rushing things last minute!
Check out my back to school checklist to help get you organized and ready! This printable is totally free and extremely helpful for keeping you on track. Grab it here!
5. Set a good bedtime routine
Summertime bedtimes are the hardest!
The sun being out well until 9pm or later combined with summer activities and trips, it’s no wonder everyones internal clock is so out of whack.
Use a white noise machine and black out curtains to help get your little one in bed and asleep at a better time. It’s best to start pushing back bedtime about 2 weeks before school starts.
6. Do a practice lunch time
My daughter loved this and thought it was so fun!
About a week before school starts I encourage you to set a timer and have lunch with your kiddo. This will give them a good feel for how long they’ll have to eat to their lunch.
This is a good time to make sure they know how to:
- Open/close their lunch box
- Open/close their water bottle
- Ask for help
- Twist caps off of items like squeeze pouches
- Pack up their lunch belongings
Even if your little one was in preschool or daycare before, it’s always good to have a refresher!
7. Get a first day of school bracelet
Having a physical reminder that you’re always thinking of them and supporting them can so be helpful!
This is an easy way to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten! If you have the time, I’d even encourage you to make matching bracelets together with the same idea in mind.
Feeling connected to you as they start a new adventure can be very comforting. This is a great way to help calm those nerves in the first couple days!
8. Celebrate this huge milestone
There’s nothing better than traditions!
Now is a great time to start a few back to school traditions that your little one will come to know, love and cherish! Traditions are an easy way to build hype and celebrate!
There are tons of fun first day of school traditions you can start, even something as simple as making their favorite breakfast on the first day of school can get them feeling extra special!
Find something that not only gets them excited but also makes them feel encouraged and supported. 🙂
{Related post: 15 Must-Do First Day of School Traditions To Kick Off a Great Year!}
9. Daily affirmations
Maybe you already do daily affirmations, maybe you don’t. Now’s a great time to start!
What is a daily affirmation?
Affirmations are phrases or statements you repeat out loud to help your inner dialogue.
Some simple affirmations you can repeat with your child for the first day of kindergarten might include:
- I am brave, confident and kind
- I can do hard things
- I am ready to meet new friends and be a good friend to others
It’s best to incorporate daily affirmations into your routine. A great time to recite daily affirmations would be while doing your childs hair, in the car or on your walk to the bus stop in the morning!
Affirmations can really help shift your little ones mindset and build up their confidence.
10. Go over basic reminders
Just like doing a practice lunch time, it’s never a bad idea to freshen up on things!
Make sure your little ones knows (or remembers) school procedures.
They’ll need to know things like that they most likely can’t just up and leave for the bathroom or grab a snack from their backpack whenever they’re hungry. This may sound obvious but some kids who have never been in school find this to be totally strange and confusing!
This is a good time to make sure they know how they’ll be getting home, who is allowed up to pick them up, proper ways to act on the bus, etc.
11. Nix the nap
Pre-schoolers may get naps but kindergarteners don’t! (sometimes)
This is one that you’ll want to double check with your childs school but most often, naps stop once we enter Kindergarten.
You’ll want to wean your little one off of naps around the same time you’re establishing their new bedtime. The two go hand in hand so it really only makes sense!
If your little one really depends on their naps you’ll want to start this process as early as possible.
12. Pack a fun lunch
Alright, so this may not help prepare them for the first day but it will definitely help them power through the rest of their first day!
By the time lunch time comes around they may be feeling like a pro at kindergarten already or they may be still feeling unsure. Either way, a fun lunch is the perfect pick-me-up they’ll love!
There are lots of ways to pack to a special first day of school lunch but more importantly, I encourage you to leave them a note in their lunch bag too. This is the perfect way to cheer them on and remind them of your love even when you’re away!
