| Posted By |
Message |
|
|
Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Share yours  .
It's going to be a very long day for DS.
He will be dropped off at 7 for Pre-care and then school gets out around 3.
Mostly likely his grandfather will watch him until we get home around 5:30 at our house and sometimes his but he's already sad thinking about not being with his cousins daily.
I'm going to see if his grandfather will encourage him to start any homework so it's done.
Also anything to do in general to prep for with the school directly?
I have the packet and have followed up on the forms and busing and such.
|
Posted 8/11/14 3:52 PM  |
| |
|
cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
One thing that worked out great for us was that we got an organizer (has pockets, a little cork boars, etc) to hang on his door for important papers, school forms, art work etc. I kept envelopes as well as singles for lunch money, pr trip money, labels with his name on them, and his class list in there also.
We also have a homework basket that we kept his homework sheet, math workbook, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue stick and crayons in. Also sent his books and word cards that were sent home to practice. We liked having everything he needed in 1 place.
When DS started K, he was VERY cranky (quite honestly a nightmare) for a few weeks. He just needed to get used to the long day, was hungry, tired etc. We found he really needed time to decompress, watch some TV or play, have a snack etc. We didn't rush him to do HW right away. Once we got in the swing of things he got much better. It's an adjustment but an exciting time.
|
| Posted 8/11/14 9:47 PM |
| |
|
Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by cj7305
One thing that worked out great for us was that we got an organizer (has pockets, a little cork boars, etc) to hang on his door for important papers, school forms, art work etc. I kept envelopes as well as singles for lunch money, pr trip money, labels with his name on them, and his class list in there also.
We also have a homework basket that we kept his homework sheet, math workbook, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue stick and crayons in. Also sent his books and word cards that were sent home to practice. We liked having everything he needed in 1 place.
When DS started K, he was VERY cranky (quite honestly a nightmare) for a few weeks. He just needed to get used to the long day, was hungry, tired etc. We found he really needed time to decompress, watch some TV or play, have a snack etc. We didn't rush him to do HW right away. Once we got in the swing of things he got much better. It's an adjustment but an exciting time.
I agree with the homework basket and time to decompress :)
|
| Posted 8/12/14 9:33 AM |
| |
|
busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
|
Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Start waking him up early a few days before so he gets used to the schedule. A checklist in his bedroom of all the things he has to do to get ready, even if its in pictures, is a good motivator (brush teeth, get dressed, etc).
Your son has ADHD right? I cannot stress enough how much easier it is if he gets him homework done right away after school. Let him have a snack, a short break, and then homework. My son is going into 6th and this is our biggest issue. I wish I had made him do it after school from the beginning so it was now a routine. Getting him to do it at 6 or 7 at night makes me want to rip my hair out.
|
| Posted 8/12/14 9:39 AM |
| |
|
NoStressMom
My Heart and Soul
Member since 5/05 11122 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by cj7305
One thing that worked out great for us was that we got an organizer (has pockets, a little cork boars, etc) to hang on his door for important papers, school forms, art work etc. I kept envelopes as well as singles for lunch money, pr trip money, labels with his name on them, and his class list in there also.
We also have a homework basket that we kept his homework sheet, math workbook, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue stick and crayons in. Also sent his books and word cards that were sent home to practice. We liked having everything he needed in 1 place.
When DS started K, he was VERY cranky (quite honestly a nightmare) for a few weeks. He just needed to get used to the long day, was hungry, tired etc. We found he really needed time to decompress, watch some TV or play, have a snack etc. We didn't rush him to do HW right away. Once we got in the swing of things he got much better. It's an adjustment but an exciting time.
 thanks for the tips!!
|
| Posted 8/12/14 12:02 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by busymomonli
Start waking him up early a few days before so he gets used to the schedule. A checklist in his bedroom of all the things he has to do to get ready, even if its in pictures, is a good motivator (brush teeth, get dressed, etc).
Your son has ADHD right? I cannot stress enough how much easier it is if he gets him homework done right away after school. Let him have a snack, a short break, and then homework. My son is going into 6th and this is our biggest issue. I wish I had made him do it after school from the beginning so it was now a routine. Getting him to do it at 6 or 7 at night makes me want to rip my hair out.
We just had a visit at Cohen's last week and she stressed the importance of the schedule.
She talked about doing the picture chart and bribing him with tv or IPad only if he finishes his homework.
Maybe I'll have him do it why I'm prepping dinner. By 7 I expect to be into the bedtime routine.
|
| Posted 8/12/14 2:29 PM |
| |
|
Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
First, good luck Kindergarten mommies!!!! I remember being in your shoes this time last year. I was excited. Nervous. Scared. And everything in between. The year goes fast so enjoy every minute, it was a fun ride for both of us!!
So now, some tips.
Have LOTS of tissues in hand the first day. My DD was fine, I was a wreck!!! lol
Expect them to be pretty tired the first few weeks. My DD was a zombie when she came home, and ravenously hungry too. She would have a snack and then veg on the couch until dinner. By October she was in the swing of things and would come home fine and not exhausted.
Label everything. EVERYTHING. If you want it to come home again, label it. I got a Groupon deal for some label website and they were great. I had all different sizes so I could use them everywhere.........her jacket, books, sunglasses, headphones for computer lab, art smock, etc.
I've always been a bedtime stickler but just make sure you're getting your LO to bed at a reasonable time. It's a long, busy day.........they need plenty of rest to do well.
I always put stickers on her sandwich bag and left a little note in her lunchbox throughout the year, this way she knew that even if we were apart I was always thinking of her.
Be organized. I emptied her folder every day as soon as she got home, I signed or filled out any necessary papers and put them right back into her folder to take back the next day. At home I kept a folder labeled School Notices and one labeled HW so nothing got misplaced and I could find everything easily. I also immediately marked any important dates on my calendar so I wouldn't forget anything throughout the week/month/year.
Take lots of pictures on the first and last day. You will be glad you did, you won't believe how much your LO changes from September to June.  
|
| Posted 8/13/14 8:57 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Tips for new Kindergarten moms
If your school offers the chance to go in and see the classroom before school starts, go if you can. My DD was SO anxious about starting K but we were allowed to see her classroom the week before and it really helped. We didn't see her teacher but we met her assistant who was really nice. I think it helped her a lot.
|
| Posted 8/13/14 10:07 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Thanks ladies.
Hofstra, I remember your posts from last year.
I can't believe how fast it goes!
|
| Posted 8/14/14 7:27 AM |
| |
|
Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
Thanks ladies.
Hofstra, I remember your posts from last year.
I can't believe how fast it goes!
I know!! Too fast. I can't believe in two weeks I have a first grader!!  Good luck!!...........hope your LO has a great year!! 
|
| Posted 8/14/14 8:02 AM |
| |
|
HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!
Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name:
Jenn
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by cj7305
One thing that worked out great for us was that we got an organizer (has pockets, a little cork boars, etc) to hang on his door for important papers, school forms, art work etc. I kept envelopes as well as singles for lunch money, pr trip money, labels with his name on them, and his class list in there also.
We also have a homework basket that we kept his homework sheet, math workbook, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue stick and crayons in. Also sent his books and word cards that were sent home to practice. We liked having everything he needed in 1 place.
When DS started K, he was VERY cranky (quite honestly a nightmare) for a few weeks. He just needed to get used to the long day, was hungry, tired etc. We found he really needed time to decompress, watch some TV or play, have a snack etc. We didn't rush him to do HW right away. Once we got in the swing of things he got much better. It's an adjustment but an exciting time.
Where can I find a wall organizer like you described?? My DS starts Kindergarten on Sept 2nd and I think this is a great idea!
|
| Posted 8/14/14 12:30 PM |
| |
|
NoStressMom
My Heart and Soul
Member since 5/05 11122 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by Hofstra26
First, good luck Kindergarten mommies!!!! I remember being in your shoes this time last year. I was excited. Nervous. Scared. And everything in between. The year goes fast so enjoy every minute, it was a fun ride for both of us!!
So now, some tips.
Have LOTS of tissues in hand the first day. My DD was fine, I was a wreck!!! lol
Expect them to be pretty tired the first few weeks. My DD was a zombie when she came home, and ravenously hungry too. She would have a snack and then veg on the couch until dinner. By October she was in the swing of things and would come home fine and not exhausted.
Label everything. EVERYTHING. If you want it to come home again, label it. I got a Groupon deal for some label website and they were great. I had all different sizes so I could use them everywhere.........her jacket, books, sunglasses, headphones for computer lab, art smock, etc.
I've always been a bedtime stickler but just make sure you're getting your LO to bed at a reasonable time. It's a long, busy day.........they need plenty of rest to do well.
I always put stickers on her sandwich bag and left a little note in her lunchbox throughout the year, this way she knew that even if we were apart I was always thinking of her.
Be organized. I emptied her folder every day as soon as she got home, I signed or filled out any necessary papers and put them right back into her folder to take back the next day. At home I kept a folder labeled School Notices and one labeled HW so nothing got misplaced and I could find everything easily. I also immediately marked any important dates on my calendar so I wouldn't forget anything throughout the week/month/year.
Take lots of pictures on the first and last day. You will be glad you did, you won't believe how much your LO changes from September to June.
thank you
|
| Posted 8/14/14 1:38 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
I also like doing the homework as soon as they get home. Often times I would let them have a dry snack like gold fish or pretzels while doing it.
If I waited to long after they got home, it was a fight.
I also do what Hofstra does, I go through there bags, take out all the folders, notebooks and look at the the homework. Sometimes they might have a snack while I do this.
If they are going to bed later now that it is summer, start putting them to bed a little earlier within the next to week so they are ready. I just started doing this. I like my kids in bed between 8/8:30 on school nights. Now they are going to be bed an hour later. Moving this will help and start a routine.
|
| Posted 8/15/14 5:02 PM |
| |
|
Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Dbl post
Message edited 8/15/2014 6:32:48 PM.
|
| Posted 8/15/14 6:31 PM |
| |
|
Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Hope Riley has a great year!!!
Message edited 8/15/2014 6:32:20 PM.
|
| Posted 8/15/14 6:32 PM |
| |
|
cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by HomeIsWithU
Where can I find a wall organizer like you described?? My DS starts Kindergarten on Sept 2nd and I think this is a great idea!
I got it on Amazon. Something like this.
Message edited 8/17/2014 5:00:47 PM.
|
| Posted 8/17/14 4:59 PM |
| |
|
Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Everyone pretty much posted awesome advise and tips. They do grow so much in a year.
As far as clothing, limit the layer articles in the fall. For example a long sleeve versus a sweater and short sleeve shirt. I would avoid shoes with laces if you can, avoid belts and make sure they can button and unbutton their pants easily by themselves. DS uniform shorts were a little hard, so we practiced before school started.
Routine is key!! DS would come home at 3, have a snack for 20 minutes with the TV on. Then around 3:30 was Homework time. They will be like walking zombies and tired. Especially the first month since its still warm out, so not only is it a long day but playtime outside in the sun zaps their energy.
Get ready to fight back tears just in case your DC gets upset the first day. You don't want to be crying with them. Some kids may cry everyday, but it will stop once they get used to it. My DS didnt cry but there was one girl who would cry everyday in the morning but by week 3, she was happy and adjusted.
I always reviewed his classwork and if there was something incorrect, I would go over it with him at some point. Just to make sure he understood it or if he had questions.
There is going to be a lot of paper coming home, save the important stuff, chuck the rest.
Good luck to all the Kindergartners, in a blink of an eye, you will be crying at their graduation and then sending them off to 1st grade. 
ETA: try to pack the least amount of wet or liquid food as you can. They forget to close things and so on. Get good Water bottles that are easy for them to close and wont spill as well as Tupperware.
Message edited 8/18/2014 8:14:52 PM.
|
| Posted 8/18/14 8:11 PM |
| |
|
sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name:
Tricia
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by Sash
Everyone pretty much posted awesome advise and tips. They do grow so much in a year.
As far as clothing, limit the layer articles in the fall. For example a long sleeve versus a sweater and short sleeve shirt. I would avoid shoes with laces if you can, avoid belts and make sure they can button and unbutton their pants easily by themselves. DS uniform shorts were a little hard, so we practiced before school started.
Routine is key!! DS would come home at 3, have a snack for 20 minutes with the TV on. Then around 3:30 was Homework time. They will be like walking zombies and tired. Especially the first month since its still warm out, so not only is it a long day but playtime outside in the sun zaps their energy.
Get ready to fight back tears just in case your DC gets upset the first day. You don't want to be crying with them. Some kids may cry everyday, but it will stop once they get used to it. My DS didnt cry but there was one girl who would cry everyday in the morning but by week 3, she was happy and adjusted.
I always reviewed his classwork and if there was something incorrect, I would go over it with him at some point. Just to make sure he understood it or if he had questions.
There is going to be a lot of paper coming home, save the important stuff, chuck the rest.
Good luck to all the Kindergartners, in a blink of an eye, you will be crying at their graduation and then sending them off to 1st grade.
ETA: try to pack the least amount of wet or liquid food as you can. They forget to close things and so on. Get good Water bottles that are easy for them to close and wont spill as well as Tupperware.
Thanks for all the advice ladies! There wasn't a folder on his list but, duh!! Why didn't I think of getting him a folder. Back to the store. I haven't decided what to do about hw. Right away or later on. I know my son usually needs veg time. I guess I will see how it goes. He is going to be so tired. He went to half day camp for the past two weeks and he was a disaster.
|
| Posted 8/19/14 9:38 AM |
| |
|
lorich
.
Member since 6/05 9987 total posts
Name:
Grammie says "Lora Gina"
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Did any past Moms have kids in full day daycare/preschool before kindergarten?
I'm wondering since DS has been in some type of full day daycare & preschool all along if a full day in Kindergarten is going to be any different for him...aka me...so I can prepare myself! 
ETA: he will go into after care after school, so he'll be picked up around the same time I do now.
Also, I'm reading about a lot of paper. His school seems to be "green" and everything is online. Is anyone else's school like and if so, did you still receive tons of papers for important things? I feel like I'm going to be living on the parent's portal.
Message edited 8/19/2014 3:01:51 PM.
|
| Posted 8/19/14 3:01 PM |
| |
|
busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
|
Tips for new Kindergarten moms
My kids schools also have everything online, but I think are still required to send home a physical paper because not all parents are "online". Lots, and lots, of papers come home, most get tossed!
|
| Posted 8/19/14 4:44 PM |
| |
|
Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
|
Re: Tips for new Kindergarten moms
Posted by sfp0701
Thanks for all the advice ladies! There wasn't a folder on his list but, duh!! Why didn't I think of getting him a folder. Back to the store. I haven't decided what to do about hw. Right away or later on. I know my son usually needs veg time. I guess I will see how it goes. He is going to be so tired. He went to half day camp for the past two weeks and he was a disaster.
Feel your child out the first few days. Some kids it's better to do the hwk after a snack right away, others may need a little nap or can do it later after they unwind. My DS tends to get delirious after 6pm and it's hard for him to focus.
I'm not going to lie there were times when my DS put his pajamas on, shut off the light in his room and went to bed without saying anything. 
Maybe a folder isn't necessary since they will not be sending stuff home, which I think is awesome. But one for your house would be good!
My DS's school isn't green that I know of, but they do have a portal where you check all the grades. I got a lot of classwork sheets back and stuff. They would bring home the work they did that day in class, which, were several sheets per day. Then the notices asking for money.
Just another tip, I labeled everything with Permanent Marker and it worked just fine (Backpack, snack bag, and all his outerwear and accessories).
|
| Posted 8/20/14 6:46 PM |
| |
|
momtimes2
LIF Infant
Member since 4/14 333 total posts
Name:
stephanie
|
Tips for new Kindergarten moms
well my dd is going into 2nd grade and my little guy does not start K until next year. however, I agree with the other ladies
1. be ready for a tired, cranky kid
2. we give miki a snack and some down time before homework is done. I will do the reading with her when I get home from work but by then, her worksheets are all done and I will just review them with her
3. Be prepared, you WILL cry. I followed the bus to school on the first day so I could see that she got there safe (ok, I did it for the 1st day of 1st grade too...lol)
Good luck, this is such an exciting time!!!
|
| Posted 8/21/14 10:21 AM |
| |
|
