Countdown to Kindergarten: What First-Timers Need to Know

Frankfort resident Karen Monaco was a stay-at-home mom until she started substitute teaching in District 157-C, where her own children attended school.

Being the daughter of parents who were educators, Monaco said she swore she'd never go into teaching, but as often happens in life, she ended up eating her words. And she couldn't be happier.

Monaco eventually returned to graduate school and got a master's degree in education, along with her certification. This fall marks her fifth year as a kindergarten teacher at in Frankfort.

"I guess I still feel like I'm a mom when I'm at school," Monaco said. "You really do need to have that personality if you teach kindergarten—part mom, part teacher."

So, first-time kindergarten parents, take it from a teacher-mom who's been there: Make life a little easier on that first day of school (Tuesday, Aug. 23 for SD157-C and Thursday, Aug. 18 for Summit Hill School District 161).

Getting Ready

Letting your child be part of the preparation process is key, Monaco said. It can help ease their fears and make them more excited if they can shop with you for:

• school supplies
• a backpack
• a lunch bag
• a special "first day of school" outfit
• food for lunches or healthy snacks

Monaco also advised using the days before school to practice walking to the bus stop and talking about basic bus safety rules such as staying in your seat and keeping your hands (and belongings) to yourself.

If your school has a parent-child orientation day, Monaco recommends bringing the school supplies with you then, so your student doesn't have to lug everything on the bus the first day.

Establishing a school schedule before school starts can help with the transition, too, Monaco said. Have your child go to bed a little earlier each night and try waking him or her up at the school wake-up time each morning. Eating breakfast and lunch at "school schedule" times also will help your child get in the groove, she added.

Getting your child a library card is another fun and useful preparation activity, since the bookmobile routinely visits schools in its district during the school day and children will need their own card to check out books there.

Other helpful family prep work includes practicing with your child on tying his or her shoes (or just go with Monaco's all around favorite: Velcro-closure gym shoes) and making sure that he or she can tell school staff their first and last name and teacher name, Monaco said.

The First Day

It's OK to let your chid see you sweat, but never let him or her see you cry on that first day, Monaco said. Even if putting them on the bus is the hardest thing you ever had to do, don't shed tears in front of them.

"If you show you're excited and enthused, they might pick up on that energy," she said.

"Let them see how proud you are of them, what a huge step this is for them. Tell them you want to hear all about their day when they get home," Monaco added.

Both before the first big day and as your child adjusts to school, talk with them about what's expected at school. The teacher will be going over classroom rules and routines on the first day, but parents can support that work by discussing it at home. Things like:

• raising your hand if you want to talk;
• telling your teacher if you need to use the bathroom (don't just hold it and don't just leave);
• walking in school;
• using a tissue if you need to blow your nose;
• sharing and taking turns;
• being a good listener; and
• using your inside voice.

"Try to get them to remember something each day, like learning a new friend's name each day," Monaco said.

Giving them something concrete to remember can help them share their experiences with you when they get home. Plus, learning friends' names will let them practice their social skills, Monaco added.

Back at Home

It will be very normal for your child to come home tired and drained, especially if he or she is in a full-day kindergarten program, Monaco said.

"They might be crabby," she said. "They might get off the bus crying even if they didn't cry all day. It's just that emotion of seeing their moms."

Monaco recommends giving them some time to relax when they get home. Let them lay on the couch or have playtime. Give them a snack.

If they come home sad, explain to them that everyone feels sad sometimes when they're at school, that it's normal to miss your mom and dad or siblings. But also let them know that you want them to feel happy at school, Monaco said.

Another way to start school well would be to send a favorite family or pet picture for your child to keep in their cubby (Monaco asks all of her students to do this). Remind your child, too, that school staff is there to help and that they need to remember to ask for help.

And if your family is impacted by special circumstances (such as a divorce or birth or death in the family), be sure to let the teacher know, Monaco said. Sometimes children don't appear to be affected by grown-up issues, but when they're dealing with other stressors (such as starting school), things that didn't bother them suddenly do. Just keep the communication lines open and prepare for an incredible year.

"It's so exciting to watch the changes from the beginning to the end of the year," Monaco said. "I think  you see it (in kindergarten) more than you do in other grades. I love my job!"

Read to Succeed

Reading stories about going to school is another great way to start conversations with your child about hopes and fears related to the big event. Monaco's classroom collection of "first day of kindergarten" books includes favorites like:

• The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
• Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

The has a free bookmark full of "back to school" story choices, including:

• I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
• Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
• Little Rabbit Goes to School by Harry Horse
• Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

Or, check out these other selections available through bookstores:

• Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell
• Off to Kindergarten by Tony Johnston
• A Place Called Kindergarten by Jessica Harper
• Kindergarten Rocks by Katie Davis
• Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London

PLEASE VISIT the listings for Grand Prairie Elementary and the Frankfort Public Library in the Patch Places directory for more information.