Becoming A Better Professional

You're really smart to prepare your child ahead of time for the kindergarten experience. Leaving home, even if it's just for half a day, can be stressful for little kids. From home activities to enrolling your child in preschool, here are some ideas that might help you to get your child started on the right foot when he or she begins kindergarten:

What You Can Do At Home - Even little things you do at home can make a big difference in your child's readiness to go to kindergarten:

• Think of what a kindergarten class will be like and do a mini-model of that at home. 
• For example, establish a routine at home. After getting your child ready for the day, help him or her to realize that a pattern is being established.
• Have play centers in your home. For example, the family room could be divided into a section for looking at story books to playing with educational toys.
• In the kitchen, have an area for crafts. Finger painting and clay modeling are good examples of things your child may do in kindergarten. 

What You Can Do Outside Of The Home - Part of the preparation for your child will be simply being away from you and away from home:

• Does your library have a story-telling program? If you decide to take your child there, think about letting your child sit with the other children in front while you take a back seat.
• Think about enrolling your child in a preschool program. At preschool, your child will not only learn new skills, but he or she will learn to interact with other children. 
• Consider a program that teaches your child independence and that focuses on your child's strengths. For example, if it is evident that your child is gifted in music, the instructors will make sure that he or she has plenty of time to play with musical instruments, not just in a group, but by himself or by herself.
• As you look for a preschool for your child, be sure to write down questions or concerns that you might have so you won't forget them when you talk to the school director.

Be sure to keep lines of communication open with your child. Write down ways that you can see him or her progressing as new experiences happen to him or to her. Show him or her the words you have written that speak of accomplishments that have been made.

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