Starting kindergarten is a significant milestone for young children, as it marks their first day of school as a “big kid”. While some may find this time exhilarating, many kindergarteners preparing for preschools in Trivandrum and kids playschool may face difficulties adjusting to the long days, demanding curriculum, and separation from their families.

Child psychologist Amie Bettencourt from the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provides valuable advice on how to prepare your student for learning.

How can parents assist in preparing?

Develop consistent daily routines at home.

Establishing consistent daily routines can assist children in learning, providing them with a sense of security and autonomy, and boosting their self-esteem and sense of belonging within their family. Key family routines that can prepare children for kindergarten such as playschools Trivandrum and best preschool in Trivandrum include:

Bedtime Routines

Establishing a bedtime routine helps children to have a restful night’s sleep and prepare them for the adventures of the next day. Key components of a bedtime routine include keeping a consistent bedtime and following a set sequence of activities, such as bathing, changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, reading a favorite story or singing a favorite song, and ending with a goodnight hug or kiss from their caregiver before attending preschools such as best play school.

Reading Routines

Parents are advised to engage in daily reading sessions with their children preparing for the best preschool Trivandrum for the time of preschool admission, for a minimum of 20 minutes in order to enhance their language and literacy skills. This reading habit can be incorporated into the bedtime routine or any other suitable time that works for both the parent and child preparing for kids school in Trivandrum and international playschool Kerala. To make this reading time more enjoyable and engaging for the child, it is recommended to allow them to select the book.

Family Mealtime Routines

Establishing a regular family mealtime routine serves multiple purposes, including teaching children about healthy eating habits and fostering communication and connection between family members. In addition, incorporating simple routines like hand-washing before meals or clearing dishes from the table can help children preparing for best kindergarten in Trivandrum or even preschool near me develop important life skills that will benefit them in other areas, such as school.

Stay up to date with vaccinations.

Bring your child to the pediatrician for a check-up and ensure that all required immunizations for kindergarten are current.

Tell your child what to expect.

Have a conversation with your child about what to expect in kindergarten such as kindergarten Trivandrum where there are tutors trained from montessori training to help them get ready for this important change. Kids may have many inquiries about kindergarten, especially if they are beginning at a different school.

• Take the time to have a discussion with your child regarding what to expect in kindergarten like kindergartens Trivandrum, such as who their teacher trained from montessori teacher training will be and what a typical school day will entail.
• Engage your child in the decision-making process by letting them choose their school supplies, like a backpack and clothes.
• Sharing your own experiences of attending kindergarten can also help your child going to be taught by teachers from preschool teacher training and teacher training in Trivandrum feel more comfortable discussing their own feelings and thoughts about starting school.

What are some ways parents can start conversations with their children about school once the school year starts? It’s important to make talking about school a regular part of your family’s routine, as it gives parents the chance to learn about their child’s experiences and feelings, while also emphasising the importance of education at schools where tutors are trained from ttc in Kerala and ttc in Trivandrum.

Starting conversations with your young child about school can be challenging, especially when they don’t offer much information in response to the simple question, “How was school today?”

Here are some additional ways to initiate a discussion with your children about school:

• Encourage your children to share something new they learned or experienced at school each day.
• Prompt your children to discuss both something they enjoyed and found challenging at school such as Trivandrum schools and nios school in Trivandrum.
• Inquire about your children’s interactions with classmates and the activities they engaged in during recess or free time.
• Establish a regular family tradition of discussing daily experiences, such as during meals or another shared activity, by sharing and listening to each other’s highlights from the day.

What are the particular challenges that new students face in kindergarten?

Kindergarten today is more demanding compared to when many parents were children. Children now spend more time on structured reading and math tasks rather than on socialization and play-based learning. This can create a disconnect between a child’s developmental stage and the academic expectations they are faced with. Here are some challenges that new kindergarteners may encounter:

• – Adjusting to a longer school day can be difficult for children studying at primary school in Trivandrum and secondary school in Trivandrum transitioning from half-day preschool programs, who may struggle to engage in structured activities for the entire day.
• – The numerous transitions required during a typical kindergarten school day, from preferred activities to more challenging tasks, can be especially challenging for young children.
• – Kindergarteners are now expected to sit still and focus for extended periods of time, which can be tough for some as they are still developing self-control and attention skills.

What are indicators that a child is struggling with the transition to kindergarten?

• The teacher has reported that your child is struggling with listening and following directions in school such as in preschools in Trivandrum and kids playschool.
• Your child is displaying verbal or physical aggression towards peers or school staff.
• There are frequent temper tantrums occurring at school.
• Your child is expressing reluctance to get ready for school such as playschools Trivandrum or best preschool in Trivandrum in the morning, taking a long time to do so or vocalizing dislike for school.
• After attending school for a month or more, your child still exhibits tearfulness and clinginess when being dropped off in the morning.
• Your child appears sadder, more worried, or more irritable since starting school.
• There are repeated daytime toileting accidents happening while your child is at school.

When should parents start thinking about getting professional assistance?

• Your child is exhibiting disruptive behavior, such as temper tantrums and aggression towards school staff or peers, on a regular basis at preschools and best play school.
• Your child is frequently misbehaving and causing trouble at school.
• Your child is showing signs of anxiety about school, including expressed worries about teachers and peers and trying to avoid going to school.
• Your child is experiencing increased tearfulness, sadness, and irritability, as well as a lack of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed since the start of the school year.
• Your child is having frequent accidents at school despite being fully toilet trained.

Proper early education is vital for a child’s holistic development. It is crucial for parents to prioritize their child’s early education and training as a child’s brain undergoes significant development within the first five years.

Ensuring your child’s success and learning in kindergarten is vital as it sets the stage for their future academic years. To prepare for a successful first day of kindergarten such as best preschool Trivandrum from the time of preschool admission, here are some items to include on your checklist:

Top 8 Essential Academic Skills Your Child Should Possess Before Entering Kindergarten

1. Recognize Letters and Numbers

To begin getting your child ready for kindergarten such as kindergartens Trivandrum where tutors are trained from montessori training, introduce them to the alphabet and numbers. Teach them how to identify and say each letter, with a focus on the ones in their own name for a more personalized and enjoyable learning experience. Incorporate counting into your daily routine by having them count objects up to 10, making learning a part of everyday activities.

2. Practice Writing

One successful approach to getting your child ready for kindergarten such as kindergartens Trivandrum where tutors are trained from montessori teacher training is to focus on developing their writing abilities. Start by teaching them how to write their name, which is typically their first crucial word. Offer crayons and pencils and demonstrate the proper way to hold them. Slowly introduce writing other basic words to help boost their self-assurance and skills.

3. Introduction to Books

Add to your kindergarten readiness checklist the ability to handle books. Help your child understand how to hold a book, flip through pages delicately, and comprehend that reading progresses from left to right and top to bottom. Developing these book-handling skills early on can cultivate a passion for reading and education in kids preparing for kids school in Trivandrum and international playschool Kerala.

4. Basic Math Concepts

Boost your child’s early math abilities in preparation for kindergarten by involving them in basic math activities. Practice counting objects together, point out different shapes in their surroundings, and introduce them to simple patterns. Not only will these activities help them prepare for best kindergarten in Trivandrum and preschool near me to learn math concepts, but they will also improve their observation and reasoning skills.

5. Understanding Colors and Shapes

An important aspect of readying your child for kindergarten involves assisting them in identifying and naming basic colours and shapes. Encouragement given by parents before tutors trained from preschool teacher training and teacher training in Trivandrum to provide your child to categorize objects by their colour and shape while engaging in play. This activity not only improves their visual recognition skills but also strengthens their capacity to follow directions.

6. Phonemic Awareness

To get your child ready for kindergarten, make learning phonemic awareness enjoyable with engaging activities. Play rhyming games and sing songs that focus on the sounds within words. This will establish a key skill for reading by teaching them that words consist of smaller sound components while preparing for preschool where tutors are trained from ttc in Kerala and ttc in Trivandrum.

7. Listening Skills

Improving listening skills is crucial in getting your child ready for kindergarten. Engage in activities like storytelling and reading aloud that encourage your child to listen attentively and follow instructions with multiple steps. This helps enhance their concentration and understanding of spoken language.

8. Problem-Solving Skills

Teach young children essential problem-solving skills to help them get ready for kindergarten. Offer puzzles and toys that encourage them to think independently and solve challenges. These activities support the development of critical thinking and decision-making abilities, which are crucial for succeeding in school.

8 Key Tips to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten Success

1. Set a Routine

Getting your children back on track with the school routine after a lengthy summer break can be challenging. They may have gotten used to sleeping in and procrastinating getting ready for the day. It will be necessary to address these habits and make the necessary adjustments.

Establish a daily routine for your children at least ten to fifteen days before the start of school. This may include waking them up early, ensuring they have a shower and eat a healthy breakfast.

By doing this, you can avoid having to manage an upset child on the first day of school.

2. Develop Social Skills

To help your child get ready for kindergarten, foster their social skills by facilitating interactions with other children. Schedule playdates, enroll them in pre-K programs, or participate in community events that promote crucial skills such as sharing, waiting their turn, and communicating effectively.

3. Practice Independence

One way to prepare your child for kindergarten is by helping them learn essential self-care abilities. Encourage your child to dress themselves, eat independently, practice hand washing, and use the bathroom without assistance. These skills help build their independence and self-assurance.

4. Enhance Communication Skills

Improving communication is essential in the process of getting your child ready for kindergarten. Make sure to engage in regular conversations with your child, prompt them to express their ideas and emotions, and actively listen to others. This practice will not only enhance their verbal communication skills but also help them develop important social abilities.

5. Introduce Time Concepts

Teaching your child about time concepts such as morning, afternoon, evening, and days of the week can assist them in comprehending and organizing their daily activities. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for kindergarten such as Trivandrum schools and nios school in Trivandrum where they will follow a more structured schedule.

6. Foster Emotional Awareness

It is crucial to help your child learn to recognize and name their emotions, as well as understand the feelings of others. Teaching them how to express their emotions in a healthy manner and deal with challenges will contribute to their social and emotional growth in kindergarten.

7. Read Together

Consistent reading sessions are essential for getting your child ready for kindergarten. Reading together not only improves their literacy skills but also enhances their ability to listen and focus, setting them up for success in the school environment.

8. Visit the Class

If your child is feeling anxious about starting at a new school, consider taking them to visit their kindergarten classroom before the school year begins. Meeting their new teachers, familiarizing them with the layout of the classroom, and showing them where the bathroom is located can help ease their nerves and make them feel more prepared for their first day.

This will help your child preparing for primary school in Trivandrum or secondary school in Trivandrum feel more relaxed and give you peace of mind once you have personally experienced the kindergarten environment.