The transition from nursery to primary school represents a pivotal point in the child and parent's life. The expectations of the child change as he enters primary school. Kindergarten typically involves more rigorous academic activities than the preschool environment. In addition to the academic readiness, four year olds entering primary school need social skills to interact with their classmates and understand the expected behaviors. Parents play a significant role in preparing young children for the transition to primary school.
Step 1
Talk about primary school with your child. Discuss the differences from preschool, including the subjects and special classes the child will experience.
Step 2
Encourage your child to ask questions or express her fears about starting kindergarten. Answer the questions honestly while working to calm any fears she has.
Step 3
Schedule play dates with other children your child will have in his class if possible. Work on social behaviors that may cause your child difficulty in primary school, such as not sharing or making fun of other children.
Step 4
Play school at home to show your child some of the activities she may encounter in kindergarten. Let her play both the teacher and student as she shows interest. Another option is to simulate a kindergarten classroom using dolls or action figures.
Step 5
Visit the school and classroom so your child feels more comfortable on the first day of school. Ask to meet the teacher if possible. Some schools may schedule an open house or meet-the-teacher day before school begins.
Step 6
Read books about primary school. Visit the community library and ask the librarian for suggestions of books on the subject.
Step 7
Take your 4-year-old child to purchase school supplies, including a new school bag. This gets you child involved in the preparations and may increase excitement.
Step 8
Begin your child's school-year bedtime routine a few weeks before school starts. Get him accustomed to going to bed earlier so he is fully rested for school.
