Op-Ed by Emily Schulze, Kindergarten teacher at Insight PA
Kindergarten is a major milestone for families, and for the student, it’s the first day of their educational career. And while books, a laptop, crayons, and school supplies are necessary, probably the most important things kindergartners can bring on their first day are confidence and independence.
Children need to believe in themselves and know that they will go far with good choices and hard work. Because kindergarten helps lay this important foundation, Insight PA Cyber Charter School (Insight PA) kindergarten teacher Emily Schulze helps families prepare.
“When students feel supported and ready to go, they approach kindergarten as an exciting new adventure and are off on their journey to love all things learning,” Schulze says.
Foundational basics are a great way to empower your child as they enter this new environment. Students don’t need to have these skills mastered – it’s the familiarity in these areas that can make a difference in their confidence.
For example, fostering a love of reading is important for all students. They don’t need to come to school having read books themselves, instead families can encourage a love of reading by sharing books and other reading materials with children while expressing enthusiasm for the skill.
In the weeks leading up to the first day, spend time familiarizing your student with the basics—letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. Use hands-on experiences like outlining letters in a sandbox or shaving cream to keep your child engaged!
Don’t skip the ABCs
Skills beyond classroom prep are also important. Here are some of Schulze’s building blocks for a confident student.
A is for asking. Teach your child how to ask for help.
This might sound like it should be intuitive for children, but role playing how to ask for help is important for kids to feel empowered so they know how to ask when they need help.
B is for Bedtime. Establish a bedtime and a morning routine.
Create a regular bedtime that encourages calm and rest. This includes preparing for a good morning by laying out clothes, gathering school supplies, and prepping for breakfast.
C is for communication. Talk about school openly with your child.
Make sure to keep communication channels open by talking about school and creating a safe space for your students to bring their excitement and worries. Acknowledge feelings and ask open-ended questions such as “Tell me about the kids you are in your class,” instead of “Did you make any friends?”
Finally, Schulze says to take advantage of “Meet the Teacher” or Back to School meetings and events, whether it’s in person or virtual. These special meetings are for both you and your child. “It’s a great opportunity for your child to become familiar with their teacher and new surroundings before the first day.”
Emily Schulze holds a bachelor’s degree in early education from West Chester University and is a current Kindergarten teacher at Insight PA–where she first joined in 2020. Emily shares that her favorite aspect of working in Kindergarten is watching the growth of her students from the beginning to the end of the school year. When she’s not teaching, Emily loves anything related to Philadelphia sports and spending time outdoors, whether running, hiking, or walking her dog.
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