If this is your little one’s last summer before embarking on years of educational journeying, you may be feeling a mixture of emotions. You’re likely excited for your child to have all of the new experiences that kindergarten has to offer, but you may also feel anxious about how they will do socially. Here are a few tips to help your child prepare for the social aspects of kindergarten.
Encourage Your Child to Make Friends
One of the best ways to prepare your child for kindergarten is by encouraging them to make friends. This can be done by signing them up for a playgroup or taking them to the park to meet other kids their age. It’s also important to urge your child to be open and friendly to others, even if they don’t seem interested in being friends at first. Lastly, teaching your child how to be supportive and inclusive of others who are different from them is a great way to open doors to beautiful, long-lasting friendships that may span a lifetime.
Teach Your Child How to Share
Sharing can be difficult for some kids, but it’s an important social skill that your child will need to learn before kindergarten. You can help them practice by having them share their toys with other kids or siblings. Sharing and being generous can be taught in other meaningful ways, too. Perhaps you could assemble bags of lunches, or basic necessities to drop off for the less fortunate or even assemble a few school supplies for children whose parents can’t afford them. Talking about these things while assembling donations not only teaches your child how to share but also how to be compassionate.
Local Programs
If your child hasn’t been in one, consider enrolling them in a local program to get them ready for kindergarten. These types of programs help kids learn how to socialize and share in a safe and nurturing environment while doing activities that will also nurture their academics. With kindergarten social ready kits, they are well equipped to help your little one approach their new adventure with skills and confidence. If your child is already enrolled in one of these programs, try attending a few events or activities with other families to get more comfortable with the other kids and parents.
Lots of Communication
Every child approaches the transition into kindergarten differently. Some kids may be anxious and need reassurance while others might act like they don’t have a care in the world. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open with your child so you can gauge how they’re feeling and help them through any challenges they might be facing. Repeat their concerns, and then ask them what they think might be the solution to each one. Opening a dialogue with your child reinforces the idea that there is no discussion they should fear having with you, which is an establishment you’ll be grateful for as they grow and encounter more complex concerns.
The social aspect of education cannot be overstated. These tips will help your child be more prepared to take on kindergarten with open arms and lots of friends by their side and lay the foundation for a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
