Tips for First-time Kindergarten moms

Since DS is an only child I have no experience sending a child off to school with the exception of his time in Pre-K.

Any tips for us???

Packing lunch?

Good backpacks?

organization tips?

Re: Tips for First-time Kindergarten moms

I always (and still do) put in silly notes for their lunch bags. i try to make them funny instead of mushy - so they giggle instead of miss me. Like.. pictures of a salt shaker chasing a hard boiled egg or stuff like that.

Even though it's "only" kindergarten, a routine sets the tone. My kids know that after school means they show me their folders, hang up their backpacks and do any homework that needs to be done. Even if they have no homework, they still get a 15 minute reading time.

We always have a little snack for them - nothing TOO junky during the week (cheesesticks with fruit, Smoothies, goldfish crackers). Friday is fun day - so they usually get cookies and milk.

Bedtime is important for us. They are in early so they are up less crabby. And they must ALWAYS eat breakfast. Even when there is no time - I have been THAT mom at the bus stop with a cup of milk and a granola bar: "One more sip - one more bite!"

I make sure they have access to their school stuff. I keep a coat rack hung low enough for them to access it - that way they can get their own stuff together. Robbie has the last 2 pegs and Noah has the first 2. Shoes are always put by the door.

Most important tip that anyone ever gave me about sending them off for the first time: try to hold in the tears on the first day. If you are weepy and overly emotional they may have a difficult time - if you act super excited I find it is a little easier for them. I melted down the minute the bus pulled away! A friend, a mimosa and a day off of work helps.

Congrats on your big kindergartner!

Message edited 7/25/2010 5:18:02 PM.

Re: Tips for First-time Kindergarten moms

Last year I worried so much, but honestly it all went smoothly for us.

I waited until the last minute to buy ds' backpack and let him pick it himself. I did not want him to change his mind and I wanted him to be excited about it still for school. Everything else I bought early. I acted super excited and told him I heard how wonderful his teacher was (even though I hadn't)

The first day, I took off from work and walked him to school because I felt he needed an energy release. Of course not everyone can do this.

I gave him a well balanced breakfast that I knew would not bother his stomach before school.

Lunches and snacks were hard. Everyday for snack he had a drinkable yogurt or string cheese and a fruit. He often complained that he was always stuck with a healthy snack, but he did not mind that much. Occasional;y I went with goldfish or popcorn to mix it up a bit.

A tip for lunch, keep it simple and typical, at least in the beginning. If my son brought something to interesting (such as sandwich thins) he was teased. He would not necessarily be upset, but he would tell me he did not want that again. He had lots of friends and was happy, but I still tried to prevent uncomfortable situations for him, just in case.

I always threw some change in his bag on Fridays to buy his own snack. He loved that.

I liked my ds to do his homework as soon as we got home, after playing in the school yard. I found it I waited it was more of an issue.

Bedtime was really early. That helps so much, especially in the beginning.

You will be amazed how much your dc will change. Everything will be ok and you will get you own routine.

Message edited 7/25/2010 8:15:57 PM.

Re: Tips for First-time Kindergarten moms

I think going with the flow is most important. My DD goes to a different type of school (Charter) and we live down South so my tips may not apply to most. Normal size backpack, supplies needed plus whatever the teacher needed as well. I volunteered a lot as well (in her school it's a must to do, meaning we have contracts that each parents work at the school for a certain amount of time each sememster). As far as lunch went and still goes, I check the monthly menu and we go through it together. Whatever she liked she got that day and I just sent in a drink and snack for snack time. The days that she didn't like the meals I would send in PB&J or another type of sandwich for her.
She had a lot of homework Mon-Thurs. (2hours a night-yes it was a lot but again the school is different and she excelled beyond anything I could of imagined). We kept up with the wiritng, reading, math and science on top of what she normally got.
Personally, reading to your child and then your child reading to you then going over the book together is a huge help.

Your child will be wonderful. It's so scary to us when they start a 'real' school. so many things go through your mind but at the end of the day it all works out and they have done beautifully. good luck