For parents of PreK kids, kindergarten is right around the corner. Read on to learn some month-to-month tips for preparing your preschooler for kindergarten and how the Caillou Talking Doll, which I received for review, is making the whole process more fun!
Going to kindergarten is a big deal for kids, as well as their parents. It can seem like a scary step, but with a little preparation it can be a special milestone for everyone. To help you in your preparations I have put together a list of a few simple things that you can do between now and the start of school to help your child have an easy transition.
April– Find out the dates and deadlines for kindergarten registration as well as what paperwork is required. Many school districts have already started the registration process, so if you don’t yet know the requirements call your local school or district office and they should have all the answers you need. Once you find out what is required start the process as soon as possible. Many schools allow teacher-choice and other placement option on a first-come, first-served basis.
May– Take some time to talk to your child about his upcoming transition to kindergarten. If he goes to preschool talk about some of the things that might be the same and different between preschool and kindergarten. Make him feel excited by telling him what a big step he is taking, and how much fun kindergarten will be!
One way that I have found to make this discussion a little easier is the newly released Caillou Talking Doll.
Just like your child, Caillou has a big milestone coming up, his 25th anniversary and 15th anniversary on PBS. To celebrate, Caillou is getting ready to start school, and is showing it by wearing his new school uniform, school cap and backpack. This gives you a chance to talk to your child about Caillou’s transition from preschool (which he can be seen attending on his hit PBS Kids TV show) to kindergarten. This also gives you a great opening for talking to your child about his own upcoming school milestone.
June– Spend some time reviewing some kindergarten basics with your child including letters, numbers, shapes, colors and how to write/ recognize his or her own name. Find a relaxed time during your daily schedule to do this and be sure to find ways to make the learning process fun and interactive for your child!
The Caillou Talking Doll can also help with this! When you press a button on Caillou’s belly, he repeats ten phrases that help your child learn interactively with the doll. Caillou even teaches children a few phrases in French, helping them to understand the concept of different languages! My daughter loves learning along with Caillou and has even started telling me “Bonjour” which she learned from him!
July– For some kindergarteners, eating lunch at school could be a little worrying. If your child will be eating at school during his kindergarten year, help prepare by buying the type of foods that you will put in his lunchbox, now. It’s a good way to make sure he knows how to open all of the food packages, juice boxes, ect.
August– Start getting your child ready for the schedule of school a few weeks before it starts. You may want to adjust bedtimes, practice waking up earlier and even consider doing a few “trial runs” of getting up and dressed in time for school. This will help your child be in a good routine before the first day.
Also spend some time asking your child if he has any worries about starting school. Talking them through early will help to ease your child’s nerves and let him feel the excitement of this big step!
If your child is a little shy about talking about his feelings, the Caillou Talking Doll may help you get this discussion started also. You could ask “Do you think Caillou is worried about meeting his new teacher?” Or ask “Is Caillou nervous about meeting new friends at his new school?” This may help your child realize that his first-day jitters are normal, and help him to talk about what he is feeling.
Another way to help get your child excited you may want to make a “kindergarten countdown” calendar. This will help him to make it a special event as well as help to show him how near it is!
No matter what you do, make sure to make your kindergarten preparations a positive
experience! Kindergarten is a big step, but with a little bit of work, and a lot of love it can be an exciting and easy transition for you both!
If the Caillou Talking Doll (retailing for 34.99) could help make the Kindergarten transition easier for your child find him online at Toys-R-Us or at stores nationwide this Spring!
Leanne Cox is a guest writer for CleverHousewife.com. She is a stay-at-home mom to two kids, and a credentialed preschool teacher. Leanne teaches “mommy-and-me” and “preschool style” music & movement classes through her business “Little Stars Music & Movement Classes” . She is passionate about encouraging early childhood education through hands on learning and exploration
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