kindergarten - Boston Moms Blog

Kindergarten — the word that brings parents feelings of both dread and liberation. You have taken care of another person for the last five years and are reaching another milestone. But this one takes some preparation and brings about a lot of questions: Is my child kindergarten ready? Should I have started preparing him much earlier? How will she adjust to the new schedule? 

My son has been in preschool for the last two years, and it’s been great for him — he thrives in a structured environment with a scheduled routine. But I know kindergarten will still be a major adjustment for him. So it’s on me to help him get ready!

I’m not a professional educator, but I love finding fun ways to help him understand life and learn from it all at once. Whether you are a homeschool mom, working mom, or just want to help your child succeed, try some of these frugal ways to help prepare your child for kindergarten!

1. Go to your local library

You can find playgroups or events that will naturally help your child gain social skills. Summer reading programs are also a great way to practice reading-readiness skills. Most libraries offer lots of special activities and reading groups throughout the summer — perfect for helping children get in a literacy mindset!

2. Explore with sensory bins

Sensory bins are a great way to help your kids gain new tactile experiences. My son has ADHD and gets bored easily, so sensory bins are a great way to help.

3. Play with shaving cream

Learning how to write your name is no easy feat. Try spraying shaving cream onto a baking sheet or plastic table and show your child how to draw out his name. This route is more engaging than the standard pencil-and-paper method and can help engage kids who aren’t especially inclined to enjoy writing.

4. Make flash cards

For math, create cards with dots to aid in counting and teaching one-to-one correspondence. Alphabet flash cards can be used for lots of fun games. Try spreading the cards across a rug, and have your child jump or run to the card you call out.

5. Go shopping!

Shopping with kids isn’t typically a walk in the park, but it offers great learning opportunities. Shopping for school supplies from a teacher-provided list lends itself to experiences in reading, counting, sensory building, and even social interactions. Plus, your child will begin to see the various tools and supplies she’ll be using come fall. And who doesn’t get excited about a shiny new box of crayons?!

Preparing for kindergarten can be nerve-wracking and stress-inducing. But it doesn’t have to! Just remember, this big 5-year-old milestone might just be more difficult for you than for your child.

 

Jalisa Harris
Jalisa was born on the North Shore and raised 30 minutes North of Boston in Lawrence, Ma. She moved back to the North Shore in 2014 after her son was born in 2013 and loves every minute of it. She decided to leave her corporate job to become a stay at home mom when her son was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 3. She now lives her days with a toddler turning kindergartener, her blog and love for skincare and entertaining.