Making the transition to kindergarten can be an exciting and daunting experience for both children and parents. However, with a few simple strategies, you can make this transition smoother and less stressful for everyone involved. 

Here are some tips for helping your child adjust to kinder — they can be used by educators and parents alike. Ideally educators and parents can work together with these strategies in place for the best outcomes for children.

Present Kinder in a Positive Light: Use positive language and talk about the exciting things they will be able to do and learn in kinder. Reflect on the fun they have had at kinder at the end of the day, or on the way home. Encourage friends, siblings and/or cousins to reassure children that kinder is a shared experience that everyone has in life.

Get Prepared: Encourage children to take an active role in getting ready for kinder. Let them help choose their clothes, pack their backpack, and select a special item to bring with them to the service. This will help them feel more in control and ready for the big day.

Set a Routine: Having a routine in place can help children feel more secure and prepared for their first day of kinder, and each day to follow. A set bedroom, making sure they eat a good breakfast, and establishing a morning routine will help them start the day off on the right foot. This can be at home and/or at the centre. When children are empowered to know what’s coming next they can feel at ease. 

Encourage Independence: Kindergarten is a time when children start to develop their independence, so encourage them to take charge of their own belongings, such as their backpack and/or lunchbox. This will help them feel more confident and capable as they navigate the new environment.

Be Supportive: Children may potentially feel some anxiety or fear about starting kinder, and it’s important to be supportive and understanding. Let them know that it’s normal to feel nervous and that they’re not alone. Reassure them that you’ll be there to help and answer any questions they may have along the way, especially in these early weeks.

Make it Fun: Make the transition to kinder a fun and exciting experience for children. The kinder program should be educational but should also always prioritise play and wellbeing to optimise children’s development. 

Making the transition to kinder can be a big step for both children and parents, but with a little planning and preparation, you can make it a smooth and positive experience for everyone involved. 

To help Educators, we’ve made available the Bonkers Beat Auslan sign language emotions cards. The cards cover the key emotions… Love, Happy, Sad, Brave, Lonely, Friend, Fun, Good… all to the “Sing a Song” music. These 9 cards are a practical way to help children deal with stressful transitions.

There’s no charge for you so click HERE to access now. You can download, print, and use them immediately with your children.

Put these simple strategies in place and you will ensure every child feels confident and happy as they embark on their journey into kinder!

And if you want to make it easy to create a positive and super effective early childhood education environment that is proven to support children’s development as well as empower educators, take a look over here: www.earlychildhoodeducationalprograms.com.au