The transition to elementary school can be a major change in your child’s life. When they’re entering a new stage of their education, you want them to feel confident and prepared for anything. There are a few things parents can do to help reinforce or solidify important academic concepts. Try out a few of these activities to give your child a head start in kindergarten!
1. Read Daily
Before naptime, bedtime, or any time, keep a steady stream of books available for your preschooler. Remember, you can also try audiobooks on YouTube or on your smartphone to change things up with a different reader. If you’re feeling ambitious, record yourself reading a favorite book or two for your little one to play aloud and read along. As your child grows and is ready for even more reading, consider an academic preschool to help give them an educational head start.
2. Make Math Fun
There are so many opportunities to count, add, subtract, and compare in everyday life. Cheerios can be counted, LEGOⓇ pieces can be sorted by color, and the days of the week can be shared aloud. Math doesn’t have to mean worksheets and problem sets. Instead, it can consist of pattern recognition and object rearrangement.
3. Observe and Ask Questions
Practice inquiry-based learning by introducing your child to new animals, plants, and processes in the natural world. Encourage your child to formulate questions and a hypothesis about what they encounter. In this way, even a simple visit to the zoo can be a bridge to further learning!
4. Prioritize the Arts
Singing favorite songs, making up a new dance, or creating a visual masterpiece are all ways to introduce your child to the arts. Many local art museums, orchestras, and theaters host classes or activities for kids under six. Take advantage of this programming to help your child find joy in the arts.
5. Attend An Academic Preschool
When it’s time to choose a preschool, there are so many different educational philosophies to choose from. Choose a school with a balanced mix of open-ended play and an academic approach. Introducing children to key educational concepts at an early age can ignite a spark for learning that never fades. TGS also offers Kindergarten Boot Camp during our Camp Gardner summer program. At the two-week Boot Camp, we further prepare our preschool graduates with structured social and academic skills for kindergarten readiness. That’s exactly what children need to feel confident when they enter kindergarten. A quick refresher before they enter an elementary school classroom for the first time can set their minds (and yours) at ease.
The Gardner School Builds Kindergarten Confidence
TGS Education Support Specialist Fonda Thompson explains, “The Gardner School prepares children for kindergarten by giving them access to the opportunities that promote school success. Our curriculum includes child-guided and teacher-supported activities that emphasize hands-on, integrated learning. We support little learners of all ages, and some of our locations even include private kindergarten classes.”
Contact us today to learn more, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose us to give their child a head start in kindergarten and help build resilient, compassionate, and engaged young learners.