It’s only July but already parents are thinking about back-to-school because, here in the Midlands, some schools are starting earlier this year. The lackadaisical days of summer and easy summer nights are coming to an end and I know I’m not ready for it to end.
My girls are starting kindergarten this year and I’m treasuring every moment because time is truly a thief. The cliché of “the days are long but the years are short” ceases to amaze me all the time because it really is true.
As a mom, it’s my duty to help prepare my girls for the independent road ahead. I’ve certainly had help from their amazing preschool teachers but as they get ready to go to kindergarten I know it’s a whole new ballgame.
Rigorous academics seem to be pushed more and more, and it’s even headed towards kindergarten. While academics are important for kids it’s not the most important thing, especially in kindergarten. I may get some criticism for that point but it’s only my opinion.
I tend to agree with Busy Toddler who has a huge Instagram following and is a former teacher herself. In a blog post about kindergarten readiness she writes, “Let’s go back to remembering that “kindergarten readiness” is about school and life readiness. This is about the whole child and their whole self being ready to take on a life outside their parent(s) and to become great learners, thinkers, and doers.”
Yes! Kindergarten readiness, which is such a buzz word these days, is more than memorizing ABCs and 123s. Obviously, alphabets and numbers and phonics are important, but learning to get ready, tie shoes, and pack and unpack a lunchbox are skills that will help them in their road to independence.
So how am I prepping my girls for kindergarten? By teaching them these basic life skills…
I want them to be able to ask for help.
One of my girls tends to be very shy so it’s important for her to ask for help from the right people. Speaking up is a life skill that will carry my kids throughout their lives.
I want them to keep trying and not give up.
Failure is inevitable. But I want my girls to understand that it’s normal and it doesn’t mean you give up.
I want them to learn how to wait until it’s their turn to talk.
This is a hard one for our kindergarten babies, but it’s important. They need to understand this concept whether it’s when an adult is reading them a story, or talking on the phone, or speaking with another adult. This has been hard for my daughters because what they have to say is important, even if it’s something like, “Mom, watch this!”
I want them to learn how to share and take turns with others.
Often times my girls are good at this. But there are times when sharing is hard. Learning to be selfless is not only a life skill but a character building skill that will make them a more empathetic adult.
I want them to master basic clothing functions.
It’s important for our kids to know how to do things like buttoning, zipping or snapping closed their clothes, and how to tie their shoes. All of these are important so your child can take off, put on, and get their stuff together without having to rely on a singular teacher.
