While you realize that your child is going to learn many new things over the course of the year, you also want him to be as ready as possible. However, it’s been a while since you were in kindergarten, so how can you be expected to know what’s important? We’re taking the guesswork out of it and giving you a sneak peek into the skills and abilities kindergarteners need as they head into their first real classroom.

1. Be independent in the bathroom.

In addition to basic potty-training skills, your child should be able to do all the necessary clothing maneuvers (basically, pulling things down and then putting everything back where it needs to be). Especially in the early days, choose user-friendly clothes such as loose-fitting bottoms with an elastic waist. Avoid complicated outfits like overalls, one-piece jumpers or pants with a button and zipper.

Handwashing is going to be “the” must-have skill of the year, and for the foreseeable future. Make sure your child understands that 20 seconds of scrubbing are required – no shortcuts allowed. If needed, show them a kid-oriented handwashing video as a review.

2. Keep track of their belongings.

These days, it is more important that ever to avoid germy mix-ups of water bottles, outerwear, and other personal belongings. Keeping things organized may be a new concept for kindergarten rookies, so do a few trial runs at home where they can practice changing shoes, opening lunch containers, loading their backpack and zipping it up. Every single thing that goes to school should be clearly marked with your child’s name, for two reasons. First, it helps your child recognize her own stuff, and second, it allows the teacher and other classroom helpers to quickly identify an item’s owner.

3. Cooperate with peers.

Kindergarten is all about playing well with others. These youngsters are graduating from self-centered preschoolers to school-age kids who can stand in line, take turns, and share. They should also be aware of the expectation to respect other people’s personal space and possessions. When you come across an example of positive behavior in a book or TV show, point it out to your child and mention how impressive it is.

4. Print their name.

Ideally, kindergarteners should be able to recognize their own name (to find their cubby or hook) and write it down in some form (to label their finished artwork). All-caps is okay to start, then they should work toward the mixed-case version with a capital first letter. If your child has a popular name, you may also want to practice adding the first letter of her last name (for example, “Emma W.”). Strive for readability, not perfection.

5. Use crayons and scissors.

Your child doesn’t have to be a pro at the crafting station, but it’s helpful if they have a basic sense of how to color something and cut it out. Crayons help with learning colors as well as developing the proper grip for a pencil. Learning to use scissors safely and correctly is also an important motor skill. Luckily, we’ve got free Mabelhood printables to help your soon-to-be kindergartener get practicing!

6. Count to 10.

To introduce counting and general number sense, don’t feel you have to grab the flash cards. Instead, find little ways to work counting into your day. Count steps as you walk, toys as you place them in a bin, crackers on a plate – whatever is in front of you. You can also read simple counting books or search for counting songs on YouTube (including old-school classics like Sesame Street’s pinball animation and “The Ladybug Picnic”).

7. Identify rhyming words.

Learning about rhyming is a component of future reading success, as it helps build awareness of the sounds within words. To get things rolling, you can play games or read a rhyming picture book together.

8. Follow directions.

The ability to respond to an adult’s directions will play a major role in your child’s school career. All day, she’ll be asked to pause, take in new instructions, figure out the next steps, and do her best to comply with what is being asked. This can be difficult for some kids, so don’t expect instant results. Experiment with different approaches at home to see what works for your child.

9. Make it through story time.

Will your child be able to hang in there while the teacher reads a book to the class? This situation can present a double challenge: not only does he have to sit still, but he has to listen without interrupting.

Interrupting is a normal behavior at this age, since young children tend to forget that other people have needs, too. Model good listening at home and employ other strategies to minimize the frequency of interruptions. Try having your child read a story out loud (to family members or even to a group of stuffed animals) so she can relate to what the teacher is doing, and how disruptive it is if someone speaks out.

10. Seek help if there is a problem.

If your child became separated from you, would she know your name and phone number to give to a trusted adult? If she fell and scraped her elbow in the schoolyard at recess, would she ask someone for help? Talk about these kinds of scenarios with your child to confirm that she can confidently navigate through them.

Please remember that no one is expecting your child to have mastered all of these skills before he even hangs up his Paw Patrol backpack. As long as these topics have been properly introduced, the teachers can take it from there. And, if Mr. Fulghum’s words hold true, by the end of the year, they’ll know everything they really need.

The post 10 Skills Your Child Will Need in Kindergarten appeared first on The Mabelhood.

“It is a lot to handle for both the parent and child, no question,” says Callie Lecours, a kindergarten-based ECE with the Thames Valley District School Board (and a mother of two). “Try to take a deep breath and know that your child’s teaching team is there to make everyone feel safe and secure.”

While you’re practicing your calm and composed face for the big send-off, here are some dos and don’ts to help you through the early days (and weeks) of kindergarten.

Supplies and Gear

Do select a proper-sized backpack to carry all your child’s belongings. “A lunch bag, sweater, soiled clothes and mail bag won’t all fit in a small character backpack,” says Callie. While a larger one might seem massive, your little learner will gain self-confidence from being able to pack it herself. If you’re worried about the weight of it, use a kid-friendly wheeled suitcase instead.

Don’t buy school supplies unless you receive a list from the teacher. Items like pencils, crayons and notebooks may already be supplied in the classroom.

Do choose lunch containers and packages that your child can open independently. Practice at home in advance, including zipping/unzipping the lunch bag, opening/closing the water bottle, and putting any garbage in its proper place.

Don’t fall into the trap of buying indoor shoes that are cute and trendy but difficult to fasten. Velcro is the way to go.

Do send an extra set of clothes to be kept at school. “This is a new experience for them and they may have spills or bathroom accidents in the early going,” Callie says. She suggests sending practical clothes that are easy to put on, along with extra underwear and socks.

Don’t rely on a comfort object like a toy or stuffed animal to help your child start the school day. Items like this are usually discouraged in the classroom, because they may be damaged or have a distracting effect. Save the idea for show-and-tell or “special me” days.

Do label everything. In kindergarten, there is no such thing as over-labelling. Despite the colourful name plates adorning the room’s hooks and cubbies, it is inevitable that shoes, jackets, hats and other belongings will be jumbled together. By tagging everything with your child’s name, you’re lowering everyone’s stress and preventing things from being lost.

Drop-off and Pick-up

Do get there on time, or even better, a few minutes early. Everyone is nervous already, so cutting it close will raise anxiety levels even further. Organize your morning routine so you have ample time to get to the school and find your child’s line-up area without rushing.

Don’t linger after you say goodbye. Give him a hug and a cheerful wave as he goes in. Even though you feel like your heart is walking into the school without you, don’t follow him inside or try to peek in the window. It will only make things harder for everyone. Even if your child looked concerned or upset when you parted, trust that he didn’t stay that way all day – in fact, his tears probably cleared up in less than two minutes.

Do know the school policy about kindergarten drop-off and pick-up – typically, an adult must be present with the child until the “hand-off” occurs. Make sure the teachers and ECEs who are on duty at the end of the day are aware of all the relevant people (including grandparents and other caregivers) who may be collecting your child.

Communication

Do read every word of the welcome letter that the teacher sends home. It will have useful background information on classroom routines, basic supplies and most importantly, how to contact the teacher if you have questions or concerns.

Don’t overlook the monthly calendar. Put it on your fridge and immediately add any noteworthy dates – such as theme days, open houses, observation sessions, meet-the-teacher nights or other school events – to your digital schedule.

Do sign up for the class Twitter account, website or blog. If the school and school board have social media feeds, follow those to receive news of any transportation changes or weather-related closures.

Don’t forget to notify the school if your child is going to be absent or late. Know the school’s attendance and “safe arrival” procedures and follow them diligently.

Do get to know the ECEs and any other classroom helpers, as they can give you valuable first-hand insight about your child’s behaviour and mindset during the school day. “While we are not the classroom teachers, we do have a diploma specifically geared towards child development and are in tune with the various dynamics in the room,” Callie says. Since today’s kindergarten classes can have up to 30 students, the ECEs play an integral role in all parts of a kindergartener’s day.

The School

Do be friendly and courteous to the main office staff. If they seem busy, it’s because they are. They know everything that goes on in the school and can be a valuable resource as you find your way.

Don’t be shy about inquiring if your child’s classroom welcomes parent volunteers. Depending on your availability, you may be able to contribute to the class in some way, whether it’s supervising on a field trip or making homemade play-doh.

Do visit the school library with your child, if possible. Spend a few quiet minutes looking around and noticing some appealing books. If the librarian is there, take the opportunity to introduce yourself and your child. Librarians are typically keen to meet the incoming kindie students, and it gives your child another familiar adult face in the building.

Ultimately, this is a transition time for you and your child. Take an optimistic view but don’t expect instant success. Worries and fatigue are bound to surface at some point. “During those first few weeks, make the nights easy if you can,” Callie suggests. “Let your child have ‘down time’ after school and serve simple, healthy suppers. Get them to bed early and be positive about the next day. It’s a big adjustment for them, but they will get the hang of it soon enough.”

The post Dos and Don’ts for the Early Days of Kindergarten appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Me: How was school today?

Child 1: Fine.

Me: Just fine? Okay. How about you? How was school?

Child 2: Fine.

Me: Cool….

If this sounds familiar, it’s not just you. Trying to get information out of young children at the end of a school day is near impossible. Or so I thought. It wasn’t until one day I happened to ask my son a question about the library and he went into this whole story and didn’t stop talking all through dinner. I actually had to stop him at one point and tell him to eat before his food got cold.

That night, I learned the key to getting kids to engage and tell you about their day is to ask more specific questions. Think about their favourite subjects and interests and form questions based around that. For instance, my guys love gym class, so I usually ask what they did in gym and I end up hearing all about who won the running race or who had the funniest dance moves. One day I even heard a story about a kid who got suspended because of something he did in gym class. (That’s a whole other story!)

Here are a few questions that I’ve found always get the most response from my children. You know, more than just a one-word answer.

What did your friends have in their lunch today?

This one is fun but can sometimes backfire if one of their friends has something sweet and they ask why I never put stuff like that in their lunch. Regardless, I risk it because it’s usually a good way to get them talking. And if I’m honest, I also like to get new and fresh ideas for their lunches! (Besides cupcakes and pudding, of course!)

Have you gone to the library lately? What books did you pick?

I ask this one mainly because I like to hear what books they choose. It’s interesting to hear what type of books they’re drawn to when I’m not there giving them suggestions that I think they’d like. It’s how I learned my youngest was interested in graphic novels more than actual novels. As long as they’re reading something, I’m happy!

What did you do at recess?        

What kid doesn’t love recess?! I like this question because I usually get to hear the names of their friends and it’s always nice to know who they’re hanging out with and what they’re doing. I usually get a very animated description of their game of “manhunt” or who cheated during soccer.

Did you make anyone laugh/smile today?

This one is fun. I mean, sometimes I get a flat out “no”, but other times one of them will tell me about a funny joke they told their friend and they’ll re-tell it over dinner and go into a whole laughing fit again. Or sometimes I’ll get a nice story about something nice they did for one of their friends. One day, my oldest told me he went and sat on the buddy bench with a boy who was sitting there and looked sad. That made me melt, and it’s so nice to hear them reflect on their own acts of kindness.

What was the best part of your day?

This one is my favourite question. Now, if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll likely say lunch or recess, but I push them to give me another answer. One day I learned it was a classmate’s birthday. Another day I learned my oldest rocked his Google presentation! I love hearing about the things that make them happy or proud.

What’s your go-to after school question? Please share in the comments below! (I’d love to mix it up!)

…

The post 5 Questions to Ask Instead of “How Was School Today?” appeared first on The Mabelhood.

1. Sweet Potato Fries
   

   Kids love French fries, so I thought I would develop a healthier version. You can cut up the potatoes a night prior, and just air fry them with a drizzle of olive oil, and they are ready to go. Letting them completely cool off before packing them in their lunch box will prevent them from getting soggy.

2. Healthy Dips
   

   Everything tastes good with a good dip. If there are certain veggies that you want your child to try, you can add a healthy dip along with it to make it more appetizing. Air-fried veggies are crunchy and go very well with hummus, guacamole, or any other dip your child enjoys.

3. Pita Pizza
   

   This quick and easy snack takes only a few minutes to make, and the kids love it. All you need to do to make it is, spread some pizza sauce over pita bread, add chopped veggies of your choice, and sprinkle it with cheese. It can go in an oven-toaster, or you can pop it in the oven to bake until the cheese melts.

4. Pasta
   

   This is my go-to hack when I don’t have time to think about what to make. Boil some pasta; it could be spaghetti, macaroni, or anything you know your child likes. Then, in a pan, add some leftover veggies or meat from dinner, add some pasta sauce, mix it up, and your kids will love it.

5. Wraps
   

   Wraps are versatile, and you can adjust them according to your child’s preference. Grilled or baked chicken goes well with crunchy lettuce and a good sauce. They are filling and very delicious.

6. Tacos
   

   If you have made minced meat for dinner, the leftover can make great lunch for the next day. Fill the shells with the meat and veggies of your choice, and they are good to go.

7. Egg/Veggie Fried Rice
   

   This can be made a night before, and you can warm it up before packing it in the morning. Fry some carrots, green onions, lettuce, corn and an egg in very little oil. Add boiled rice and some soya sauce in it and mix it up. You can omit or add the vegetables according to your child’s taste.

8. Finger Fish
   

   Kids love a snack that is easy to hold and eat, and finger fish is exactly that. You can add some tartar sauce to go along with it, if your child prefers.

While preparing a healthy lunch can be overwhelming for most of us, parents should know that they can send in anything that their child enjoys. There will be days when you will receive an uneaten lunch box and there will be days when you receive an empty one. What matters is that our children develop a healthy relationship with their food. You are doing a great job filling the little learners bellies! Also, don’t forget to order your lunchbox labels! 

Here is a great recipe you can try that the kids might love.

The post 8 Easy School Lunch Ideas for Your Picky Eating Kindergartener appeared first on The Mabelhood.