Tips for Parents of Kindergarten Students

Jennifer Askins, School Counselor

Carolina Forest International Elementary School

The first day of kindergarten is right around the corner! Here are some ideas to help ease your child’s transition into kindergarten!

  • Be excited for your child! Talk to him/her about what a great time he/she is going to have in school and share your positive school experiences. Try not to let nervous feelings show. Don’t let your worries become theirs. BUT… Don’t discount their fears! Have a discussion with them about their worries and reassure them.
  • Involve your child in preparing for school by picking out and shopping for school supplies with them.
  • A few weeks before school starts, begin to ease your child into a school bedtime routine (brush teeth, wash face, get backpack ready, set clothes out for the next day…getting everything ready the night before). In addition, help them to have a “wake up routine.” The wake up routine would consist of get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, and pack their school bag. Pictures can help make these routines more visual and fun!
  • If your child is nervous about starting school, visit the school before the school year begins, and if possible, set up play dates with other children that are starting kindergarten.
  • For the first day of school, it might be helpful to get up a little early so that you don’t feel rushed.
  • After you drop your child off to school on the first day, don’t linger. The longer you stay, the harder it is on BOTH of you. Say goodbye quickly and encourage his/her independence. It’s okay to cry after child and you have parted, but not before.
  • When your child comes home for the day, ask excitedly about their first day and tell them how proud you are! Celebrate by doing something special (i.e. bike ride, walk around the block, special dessert, etc…).

Suggestions of Books to Read to Your Child

To Help Prepare for Kindergarten

  • Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten – Joseph Slate
  • The Night Before Kindergarten – Natasha Wing
  • Look Out, Kindergarten, Here I Come! – Nancy Carlson
  • First Day Jitters – Julie Danneberg
  • Tiptoe Into Kindergarten – Jacqueline Rogers
  • First Day, Hooray! – Nancy Poydar
  • Will I Have A Friend? – Miriam Cohen
  • Annabelle Swift, Kindergartener – Any Schwartz
  • Countdown to Kindergarten – Alison McGhee
  • Chrysanthemum – Kevin Henkes
  • My Teacher’s My Friend – P.K. Hallinan
  • When You Go To Kindergarten – James Howe
  • 12 Days of Kindergarten – Deborah Lee Rose
  • I love You All Day Long – Francesca
  • Don’t Go – Jane Bresken Zalben
  • Will You Come Back For Me? – Ann Tompert
  • Mouse’s First Day of School – Lauren Thompson
  • Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off – Ann M. Martin
  • Kindergarten Rocks – Katie Davis
  • Froggy Goes to School – Jonathan London
  • Welcome to Kindergarten – Anne F. Rockwell
  • Tom Goes To School – Margaret Wild
  • My First Day Of School – Nancy J. Skarmers
  • School's Cool Lickety-Split
  • Franklin Goes to School – Paulette Bourgeois
  • Wemberly Worried – Kevin Henkes
  • The Berenstain Bears Go To School – Jan & Stan Berenstain

Most of these books are available at Barnes and Noble. Some may also be available at the local library.