Many parents are more anxious about their child beginning kindergarten than the child is. Because of this parents want to know how involved they can be in their kindergarteners day and what they can do to spend some time with their child during the day. The following two suggestions are both helpful and ones that most schools allow. Of course, you will need to check with your childs school to see what the rules are before you just show up so you know for sure how involved you can be in your kindergarteners day. But, for the most part, the following two options are approved by most schools.

Have Lunch
Lunchtime is the most amount of free time your child will have during the day. Plus, you probably have a one hour lunch break that gives you enough time to stop by and spend some time with your child. Having lunch with your kid can be a great way to make them feel loved and special, but it can also make the child feel embarrassed. If other parents dont stop by for lunch and you are the only one then your child might feel strange that his mom/dad stops by even if he is glad to see you. Keep this in mind and ask your kindergartener how he would feel about you stopping by for lunch before you surprise him. He will let you know if he likes the idea or not and then you can make your plans accordingly. Also, after you stop by for lunch ask your child whether he enjoyed the surprise and wants to have lunch with you again or not. Your child will tell you how he feels and then you will know whether stopping by for lunch is a good idea or not.

Volunteer
Most schools accept volunteers and if you have the free time then you can volunteer at your childs school and even in your childs class. This will allow you to know what is going on in your childs life on a daily basis as well as spend time with your child. Lots of parents love the idea of volunteering but very few actually have the free time in their schedule. If you do have some free time then talk to your childs teacher about the best time to volunteer and what exactly you could help out with. Doing so will allow you to spend some time with your child during the day.

Most children begin kindergarten at the age of five. However, many parents are starting to question the importance of kindergarten and whether their children even need to go. It is a fact that in most states kindergarten is not required although the education acquired in kindergarten is required for the student who wants to go straight to first grade. The answer to the question is that kindergarten is really important and has many advantages.

Learn the Basics
When your child attends kindergarten he will learn the basics. This means the basics in math, science, reading, writing, social studies, and more. You want your child to be prepared for the first grade and beyond and in almost all cases kindergarten accomplishes that. If your child skips kindergarten then he may be prepared for first grade anyway, but he may still be behind. Kindergarten will expose your child to all the things he should know so that by the time he does reach first grade he will be prepared.

Socialization
Kindergarten prepares children for the following school years because they meet new friends and learn how to communicate. Developing these communication skills early on is important because the sooner children learn how to communicate well the sooner they can do so. When kids are required to share and play nicely with one another they will store that information and it will shape how they treat others for the rest of their lives.

Accustomed to School
Another reason why kindergarten is important is because it allows the child to become accustomed to school. Kids will have to start attending school on a daily basis until they turn at least 18 years old so it is important to go ahead and let them become accustomed to attending school while they are young. Then a full day of school in first grade and beyond wont be such a shock.

These are just a few of the many benefits of kindergarten that show why this grade is so important. Most parents who have allowed their first child to skip kindergarten regret it and their second child attends. You will need to make the decision for yourself and your child, but all in all kindergarten is an important grade and one that really prepares your child for his future education.

Most people who do not have children have absolutely no idea how much kindergarten has changed over the years. But the truth of the matter is that kindergarten has changed significantly. Frequently parents who have a child starting kindergarten are absolutely shocked with how different the curriculum is from the days when they were in school. Regardless, times have changed and it is important for parents to realize what is expected of their kindergartner so they can begin preparing and planning for the upcoming school year.

Then
Back when you were in kindergarten you probably had circle time, story time, recess, art, music, playtime, and naptime. You may have actually worked on your alphabet during that time too, but lots of other work was not required of you. Most adults remember their kindergarten as a time of fun and excitement and not a time of learning. But, today things are not the same.

Now
These days kindergarteners know what homework is and they frequently are assigned it. Most kindergarteners learn math, reading, writing, social studies and science as well as an introduction to a second language. The days are broken up with instruction, group time, computer time, and free reading time. The entire day focuses on instruction and helping the child learn and prepare for the first grade. The days of playing and having fun are long gone although todays kindergarteners do get to have their share of fun.

As you can see kindergarten today is probably a lot more like first grade was 15 years ago. Things have changed and they continue to do so. As kids are pushed to do more and more and learn faster kindergarten will continue to become more academic and a whole lot less fun. The sad thing is that most children who are five years old cant concentrate and focus for too long at once. So, the day must be broken up with snack, lunch, recess, art, and other fun activities. If more instruction is included in the day then children may actually fall behind simply because their little minds just are not ready to be full time students.

Your kindergartener is having problems staying focused at school and you dont know why or what to do. It would be great if you could figure out why your child is having focus problems and sometimes there is a real issue at hand. But, on many other occasions, your child is having problems staying focused at school because he simply is not accustomed to a structured day. The best thing you can do to help him adjust to kindergarten and to stay focused is to practice at home.

You may be wondering how you could possibly do that. The answer is that you set aside half an hour where you work on a project with your child that requires him to focus and pay attention. Make the activity enjoyable and dont turn it into a task. Doing this will have your child understand the meaning of focus and that he can really pay attention for 15-30 minutes at a time. Most kindergarten classrooms only deal with one project at a time and only spend a maximum of 30 minutes on a project so the child does not lose interest.

So, give this a try at home. You will realize that your child can really learn how to focus and by practicing he will be able to better focus at school. It may take you several weeks to really get your child to focus and he may even resist. But, follow through and keep your activities going on that require your child to focus. It might be an effort for you, but your child will learn and will be more successful in school as a result.

Remember as well that if you make learning and activities fun your child will have an easier job focusing because he is actually enjoying himself. The moment your child becomes bored he will turn off and no longer pay attention. So, it is up to you to figure out how to capture his attention and keep him focused. Once you learn the trick you can share it with his kindergarten teacher.

In some situations your childs inability to pay attention will be the result of a problem like dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, needing glasses, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and more. You will need to rule all of these out in order to help your child learn to focus and be a good student.

You cant believe your child is about to start kindergarten and you want to be there as much as possible to help make the transition easy. So, you think volunteering in your childs kindergarten class is a great idea. For many parents, children, and classrooms it is, but for some it can create more problems and disruptions than would have occurred if the volunteer was not in the classroom. So, consider the following points before you get too excited about volunteering.

What are the School Rules?
You will need to read the school handbook or talk to the headmaster to find out about helping out in your kindergarteners class. Some schools are very welcoming and love the assistance of a parent in the classroom while other schools are very adamant about parents not volunteering. The handbook should cover this information and once you read it you will have your answer. However, even if the handbook allows it there may be some other reasons why volunteering is not a great idea.

How Does Your Child Feel About it?
Ask your child how he feels about you volunteering in his classroom. He may think its a great idea and be really excited about it. Or, he may think it is an awful idea and wonder why you want to embarrass him at school in front of his friends. The way your child reacts to your idea of helping out is really important to consider. You dont want to cause more problems for your child or make him feel stressed or upset. So, make sure you get your childs opinion on the subject before jumping in as volunteer.

Also, make sure your child knows that if at any point he feels like he would prefer you not to volunteer then he can let you know nicely and you will stop. That you are volunteering for him and if it is not benefiting him then you can do something else with your time.

How Does Your Childs Teacher Feel About it?
You may be dead set on volunteering but your childs teacher is adamant that you dont. What can you do in this situation? Simply talk to the teacher about her fears and why she feels this way. She may have a valid point that you should simply accept. Many times when new people come into the classroom teaching is compromised and the children dont know who to look to for guidance or discipline. Sometimes the child of the volunteer acts out and only wants to be with his parent or he may stop listening to the teacher because the teacher is not his mom or dad. Obviously, some problems can arise in this situation.

If you really want to volunteer then consider all of the above topics before making your decision. And, if you cant volunteer dont take it personally. Kids adjust to kindergarten just fine even when their parents arent there to volunteer!

You may be considering sending your child to kindergarten but dont know whether a half day or full day kindergarten will be best for your child. The following overview of the pros and cons of each will educate you and help you make a proper decision.

Half Day Kindergarten
The half day kindergarten class has less time during the day for instruction so more of it is spent on teaching specific lessons and less time is spent on child selected activities. There is less time for just plain old fun because most of the time is focused on learning. This seems fine for a classroom, but some kids can feel lost with so much instruction and so little free time. However, kids are generally less cranky during the day because they only attend for half a day. This is a benefit because upset kids dont take away from instruction time.

Additionally, kids may or may not be ready for the first grade if they attend a half day kindergarten. This means there may not be enough instruction time to adequately prepare the kids for the next grade. Also, half day kindergarten does not prepare the children for a full day of school when they reach first grade. Parents will have to find childcare for the rest of the day if their kid takes part in a half day kindergarten and this can be a strain financially for some families. For others it is just stressful to find a caregiver.

These are some of the pros and cons of half day kindergarten, but many studies show that children in half day kindergarten perform as well as those in full day kindergarten. It really depends on the teacher and your child which one would be the best fit.

Full Day Kindergarten
Full day kindergarten offers more time for enrichment and themes. This means kids can really go into depth on certain topics and learn more about them. There is more time for recess and games as well as craft and having fun. With additional time during the day children are able to learn through a variety of activities designed to increase learning.

Most children who attend a full day kindergarten are fully prepared for the first grade because they spend more time learning during the year and are better prepared. Additionally, they are accustomed to the full day of school that half dayers will have to adjust to. A drawback is that some students become cranky and tired during the day due to the long hours. Even though a naptime is included sometimes it takes a while for the students to adjust to a full day of school.

The day has finally arrived and your little one is off to his first day of kindergarten. However, is he prepared with all the supplies he might need during the school day? Most teachers will send out a list of school supplies they want each student to have however if you want to get a head start on buying supplies then the following list will help you get started and have the majority of the supplies your childs teacher will want him to have for the school year.

Pencils
A pack of 10 pencils is sufficient, just make sure they are yellow and dont have any designs.

Crayons
A 24 pack of good crayons is frequently recommended. Kids do a lot of coloring in kindergarten, so having their own crayons will be very helpful.

Scissors
A pair of kids scissors is important for kindergarteners. They learn how to cut a straight line and how to cut out photos so make sure you buy a nice pair of kids scissors that are easy to work with.

Watercolors
Kids do a lot of painting in kindergarten as well. Buy a good watercolor kit.

Glue
At least two bottles of glue are recommended. And, a good brand like Elmers will mean when your child glues something it will stay that way!

Markers
A good set of markers is also necessary. Make sure they are washable, for your kids clothes sake as well as other kids, and that they are the right size for your childs small hands.

School box
A small school box is important to ensure your child can store all of his supplies in one place.

Extra erasers
A pack of erasers that fit on top of the pencil is important. Kids do a lot of erasing and extra erasers are essential!

3 ring binder
Your child will want to store all of his work in one place, so a three ring binder is important.

Backpack
A backpack is important for two reasons. It will make your child feel like a big kid and a student not to mention it is handy for carrying some basic books or homework.

Change of clothes
A zip lock bag with a change of clothes is an essential. Kids have accidents, all kinds, that can dirty their clothes and require a change.

Etc. hand sanitizer, Kleenex, Ziplock bags, wet wipes, paper towels, etc.
Little hands and noses get dirty fast and teachers like for parents to donate classroom supplies like hand sanitizer, Kleenex, Ziploc bags, wet wipes, paper towels, and the like.

Loose leaf paper
Loose leaf paper is another important kindergarten school supply. Your child will be doing lots of writing and activities so at least one pack should be supplied if not more.

The first day of kindergarten is right around the corner and you are starting to get nervous and your child is too. Fortunately, there are many tips that can help you and your child relax and ease the anxiety over starting kindergarten.

Kids are Similar
Your child might be worried about his writing, drawing, or coloring skills and being small. Talk to him about how most kids in his class will have similar abilities to him and everyone will be about the same size. Talk about how some children will be better at math and others at science and that everyone can help each other learn . Knowing that other kids are on his same level will help your child feel confident in his abilities.

Relax
One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to relax. If you are anxious and nervous about the first day of kindergarten imagine how your child might be feeling! He will pick up on your feelings and feel scared and overwhelmed. Even if you do feel nervous never let your child become aware of this. Talk to him about how excited you are for him and how much fun kindergarten is to help him relax.

Visit the School
The idea of kindergarten can be a little difficult for a child to imagine if he has never visited a classroom. So, take him by the school and let him see his classroom and meet his teacher before school starts. This will allow him to have an idea of what to expect, know his teacher, and be prepared for the first day.

Talk
Above all, talk to your child. You need to talk about any questions, fears, or anxieties he might have. Respond to all his questions with real answers, even if the question seems silly to you. Making your child feel heard and important will allow him to relax and become excited about his first day of kindergarten.

Go Over the Day
Before the first day of kindergarten go over the day with your child. Your childs teacher may be able to give you a handout that talks about the first day. Then, you can talk about this with your child every day leading up to the first day. This will prepare your child and he will feel good knowing what to expect.

Dont Sneak Out
Once you drop your child off at kindergarten dont sneak out. Instead, give your child enough time to talk and say goodbye. You may need to include this in your schedule the first couple of weeks and give your child a time limit as well. Make sure he knows you love him and that you will see him in the afternoon. Reassurance is what your child needs and sneaking out will make him distrustful.

Many parents are faced with the decision to either hold their child back for another year of kindergarten or send them on to first grade. When your child is on the line and may be able to handle first grade and may not then making the decision can be a stressful one. There are some definite pros and cons to having your child repeat kindergarten and just a few of them are addressed below. You will need to talk to your child, his teacher, and address his skills and abilities before making a final decision. However, the following information just might help you in your decision.

Pros
One of the pros to holding your child back is that he will be more mature. When your child is more mature he is better able to learn, develop friendships, and the like. Obviously this is a pro for holding your child back if he is not mature for his age.

Another benefit is that your childs developmental skills will improve. This means he will be able to complete the assigned work and learn better than he did when he was a year younger. Being the oldest in the class is often times a pro to holding your child back. He will be older than other classmates, larger, and probably even better at sports and other activities. This can really enhance his self esteem and his confidence level.

Yet another pro is that your child will know the ropes. He will know the rules, how the school day goes and wont need to adjust to the new schedule. He will be comfortable with the teacher and already know a lot of the information being taught. This will help your child prepare for the next grade.

Cons
Of course, when there are pros there are also cons. Your child might not learn anything else in kindergarten even if he repeats the grade. It could be that he learned everything there was to learn the first time around and since he was already presented with that information he wont pay attention or learn. Many children who are held back will be picked on and ultimately feel stupid because they were not successful the first time around. This may cause them to lose self esteem and confidence in their abilities. Finally, some children will be bored when they repeat kindergarten because they already took the class and want something new and different.

Making the Decision

Making the decision will require a lot of thought and contemplation on the parents part. The childs wishes should also be taken into consideration as well as the teachers recommendation. At that point you will be able to take the information you have and make the best decision for your child.

When it comes time for your child to start kindergarten you are probably anxious about the idea. How has your baby grown up so fast? And, how will he/she fare in school? Once you begin thinking about schools you will inevitably begin wondering what school you should send your child to and if public or private would be the best idea. Making the decision is always a hard one because you want whats best for your child and knowing what is best is sometimes a mystery. However, an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of both public and private education might help make your decision a little easier.

Public School
One benefit of public school is that it doesnt cost anything. That means families of all income levels can afford a public school education for their children. Another benefit is that all teachers have valid state licenses to teach and must meet certain criteria in order to do so. Another benefit is that there are many children from different backgrounds. Your child will have friends of different races and socioeconomic status than his own and this teaches patience and understanding of other races and cultures.

Public schools also have larger classrooms and generally a larger student to teacher ratio. This might not impress you too much because you want your child to receive the personalized attention he/she deserves. That simply does not happen in public schools because there are so many students and only one teacher to meet all the needs.

Private School
Private schools generally have excellent teachers and they more often than not have a low teacher to student ratio. This means that in most private schools your child will receive the one on one attention you want for him. This facilitates learning and gives the child more self confidence. Also, scholarships may be available.

A drawback is that private school costs money. Some tuition may be extremely high while others are more affordable. You can only know if private school is something you can afford by comparing your expendable income to the amount of tuition. Also, most private schools are made up predominantly of one race and most students come from affluent families. This is not a rule, its just a generality. As a result students dont mix with people from different backgrounds and dont gain the respect and appreciation for all people regardless of race, income, and the like.

Which to Choose
When trying to choose between private or public school for your kindergartener think about the teachers in the respective schools who teach kindergarten. Go speak with them and find out what a day of kindergarten is like in their classroom. Ask about curriculum, rules, and general guidelines. A simple discussion with both teachers may be enough to help you decide whether you want your child in private or public school.