My little guy starts Kindergarten in two days, which has brought so many mixed emotions. I find myself trying to soak in all the little moments because time seems to be so fleeting. Kindergarten is a time of growth, discovery, and endless possibilities. As parents, it’s our privilege to witness our children take those leaps into the world of education. As I have been preparing for my little to start Kindergarten, I thought I would share some of my tips for an exciting first day and beyond.

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Preparing for the Big Day

It can be a big change no matter where you little one is coming from. They might be staying at the same school where they attended daycare or they could be transitioning from being home full time. No matter what their experiences have been up until now, this will still be a big change for them.

Create a Kindergarten-Ready Environment:

• If your home has a nurturing environment with a dedicated learning space, this can help you support the continued learning they will do at home. This will help spark their creativity and curiosity.
• Think about getting a small desk for a dedicated space for after school learning and homework! It’s ok if the kitchen table is this space, but make sure you stick to one consistent location.
• Create some artwork together to hang up in the space and organize your school supplies, so it’s easy to access everything.

Open Communication with your Child:

• Encourage open communication with your child, discussing both the excitement and anxieties your child may have. Change is hard no matter the age we are at and it’s our job to help them navigate these big milestones. You got this!
• Talk to your child about what they can expect on the first day of kindergarten. Explain the daily routine, activities, and what they’ll do during school hours.
• Take your child for a visit to the school before the first day. Familiarize them with the surroundings, show them their classroom, and explore the playground. This will help ease any anxiety and build excitement.
• Read age-appropriate books about starting kindergarten to your child. This can help them relate to the experiences of other fictional characters and feel more prepared.
• Practice active listening with your child. You can read 12 tips for active listening, here.

Master a Morning Routine:

• The key is consistency! Make sure that you have a set time for waking up and that you stick to the same routine each day. Imagine how you feel as an adult when your routine gets messed up….kids can feel the same way and they thrive off of routines. Consider getting a wake alarm if you haven’t already!

• Make sure you have enough time for a healthy breakfast! Try to avoid cereals that are high in sugar and focus on fresh fruits and proteins like eggs! We also love Sunbutter toast! It’s easy to want to grab something quick, but those things tend to be heavily processed, which will impact how they feel throughout the day.
• Have your outfits picked out the night before or better yet, use an over the door organizer to pick out each weeks outfits. This will allow them to quickly get ready unassisted in the morning.

A Successful First Day and Beyond

Capture the Moment:

• Take the pictures AND videos! You will cherish these forever. I love using one of the first day/last day signs. Pro Tip: Create a folder in your phone for these photos, so you can easily find and post before and after pictures at the end of the school year.

• Grab an accordion file folder for artwork and keepsakes. I love to scrapbook, so I don’t digitize mine, however there are some great websites you can turn things into little photo books. I can’t keep up with doing it monthly, so I ensure I’m separating things in my file folder, so when I’m ready, I can scrapbook a few months at a time. I did this with all of Jaxson’s pre-school artwork, which is so special to me.
• Ask your child about their day and write down what they say in your scrapbook or keepsake books. If you use a Shutterfly book, you can put in that text, for extra special memories.

Navigating the Kindergarten Curriculum:

• It might look a little different depending on what type of school you are in and where you are located, however the key is making sure you have familiarized yourself with YOUR child’s curriculum and expectations. This will allow you to ask questions like, “Can you tell me about the letter of the day” vs. “Did you have a good day”. Check out this book for more ideas for questions!
• Engage in educational activities together at home. It doesn’t even have to be dedicated homework. You can turn everyday activities into learning! For example, when you are playing with cars, you could count them or utilize addition and subtraction skills.

Strengthening Parent/Teacher Relationships:

• It’s important to develop a positive relationship with your child’s teacher and be really involved in their education. Making sure that you meet them, ask any questions you have, stay in contact and never assume anything. If your child expresses any concerns, it’s important to believe your child, however always approach your conversations with your teacher’s with curiosity vs. accusation.
• Teachers work so hard and often times for little money. Use special holidays, teacher appreciation weeks and the occasional “just because” moments to show your appreciation for them. This can be through giving them their favorite snacks, gift cards, making a card, creating a fun homemade gift…anything that will make them feel extra special.

Celebrating Milestones and Achievements:

It’s so important to celebrate both the big and little accomplishments. Here are a few of my favorite ways that you can celebrate your child’s successes!

• Special “Proud Parent” Notes: Write heartfelt notes to your child expressing your pride and joy in their achievements. Place the notes in their lunchbox, backpack, or on their bedroom door as a surprise.
• Display Wall or Board: Create a display wall or bulletin board at home to showcase their artwork, school projects, and special accomplishments. This dedicated space can serve as a constant reminder of their progress and growth.
• DIY Award Trophies: Make DIY award trophies using craft supplies and present them to your child for their specific achievements, such as “Math Whiz” or “Creative Artist.”
• Garden of Success: Create a “garden” using small pots and flowers. Each time your child achieves something, plant a flower together to represent their growth and accomplishments.
• Special Outing or Adventure: Plan a day trip or outing to celebrate their milestone. Visit a zoo, museum, amusement park, or any place they love, making it a memorable experience.

It’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced world that we live in, but the key to making all of these things happen is to truly embrace the time we have with our kids. Take the extra time with them, practice patience, include them in things even if it takes a little bit longer. Soak.It.All.In.

👉Is there anything you’ll be implementing from this blog as you prepare for your kid’s first day of Kindergarten? Let me know below in the comments👇 and be sure to subscribe.