How to teach a kindergarten
Teaching Methods for Kindergarten Kids | Best Kindergarten Teaching Tips
Learning begins at home but technically, it will start the moment you enroll your kid to any kindergarten school. Kindergarten is a significant stage in every kid’s life, because it is the transition period from home to formal schooling.
Teaching kindergarten kids is a special opportunity to introduce children to school and instill in them a love of learning. It can be one of the most enjoyable and challenging jobs.
Basic Teaching Methods
1. Conference Learning
Conference learning is a basic teaching method that gives a teacher one-on-one time with each student. This method provides a teacher with a better understanding of a student’s strengths and interests.
2. Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning is a teaching method that groups students into pairs or small groups where they are challenged to complete a task. This teaching method promotes peer-to-peer respect and develops an understanding of each others interests, skills and needs.
3. Hands-On Approach
The hands-on approach is a method that encourages students to learn by example and doing it. Using props help students to learn about abstract concepts, develop critical thinking and solve problems.
4. The Play Method
This method for Kindergarten kids provides ample opportunity for children to play, which in turn develops confidence and social skills. This method helps teachers share experience with the children, present ideas and materials that will help extend the play into a learning experience.
What are Kindergarten Methods of Teaching?
Kindergarten, which literally means a garden for children, comprises a range of early childhood educational practices. The art of teaching kindergarten kids includes different instructional designs to help children learn at their own pace while in a social and collaborative environment. Some of the methods of teaching kindergarten kids are:
1.
Play with your students
Young kids are more excited about learning if you make the subject fun. Instead of telling the kids what you’re going to be teaching them, create a story around the information and ask them to play along with you.
2. Make use of toys and tools to introduce basic math
Have your kindergarten kids count blocks, beads, or stickers so they can work on counting large numbers. Use these items to help the kids understand addition and subtraction.
3. Teach the kids excitedly about physical and life science
Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Foster that enthusiasm by doing hands-on science activities. For instance, use puppets or small animal toys to teach kids about animals and their environments.
4. Encourage early reading and listening skills
Spend a lot of time reading to your class to develop their pre-reading skills. Since some kids learn better when they see things, show the words to the kids
5.
Set clear and consistent behavior expectations
Talk with your class about appropriate behavior and explain to them that they all need to respect each other. If you do see any misbehavior, talk with the student immediately so they learn that, that behavior isn’t acceptable.
6. Help students develop social skills
Kindergarten may be some children’s first experience interacting with a bunch of kids. Encourage the kids to play together and include one another in their schoolwork.
Early Years Education And Care
Early years education and care plays an important role in children’s development. It aims at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and well being.
UNESCO’s approach is reinforced in the Education 2030 agenda. “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
”
As mothers are increasing in the workforce and most children ages 3 and above now attend a child care facility on a regular basis, it is imperative that young children from all backgrounds should have access to high-quality child care and early education.
Conclusion
The art of teaching Kindergarten kids is nurturing and supportive rather than competitive. Children learn through fun and engaging activities like art and music, transforming playtime into opportunities to instill important cognitive skills, motor skills, and social skills. A good kindergarten program should combine a multitude of teaching methods and instructional designs.
Also, Kindergarten teachers play an integral role in early childhood development by fostering basic intellectual and social foundations. kindergarten teachers should implement several teaching methods that challenge students to express themselves while learning. Teaching kindergarten kids successfully is about finding the right balance between fun and learning.
Helpful Resources
Best Teacher Training Certification Courses
Cache Level 3 Courses for Early Years Workforce
Role of Teachers in Education
Teaching Kindergarten: 50+ Tips, Tricks, and Ideas
Kindergarten teachers are magical people. It takes a special person to be able to manage the littlest students without breaking a sweat! Teaching kindergarten is also a special opportunity to introduce children to school and instill in them a love of learning. In honor of you who teach this grade, we’ve scoured our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook to bring you the best tips, tricks, and ideas for teaching kindergarten.
Getting Your Classroom Ready
1. Integrate all of the tech
Source: Enchanted Kinder Garden
With so many teachers receiving new devices, make sure you’re using them fully as a normal part of your day. Check out some of Keri from Enchanted Kinder Garden’s favorite tech tools for a kindergarten classroom.
2. Prepare yourself for kids with a wide range of skills
“Be ready for kids who are readers, kids who have never seen letters, and everything in between. I love my kinders dearly and find so much joy in watching their little lightbulbs go on for the first time! They’re a different bunch to be sure, but they’re a blast!” —Maggie V.
3. Create an inviting classroom
Need ideas? We’ve gathered real-life kindergarten classrooms for you to browse!
4. Be prepared for changes
Source: The Daily Alphabet
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The science of reading has been all the buzz lately. Are you aware of what it truly means for your classroom and your students? Check out this article to learn more about the science of reading.
5. Gather all the supplies
Not sure what exactly you need for the kindergarten classroom? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this list of essential kindergarten classroom supplies.
6. Plan your circle time well
Source: Growing Kinders
Make circle time short, sweet, and active. Incorporate these amazing carpet spots for easy seating.
7. Get a jump start on lessons
In kindergarten, teacher planning and prep time are precious! It makes life a lot easier when you can purchase existing lessons, bundles, books, and pages. And why not support other teachers while you do it? Check out our favorite Teacher Pay Teachers sellers.
8. Put together an irresistible classroom reading nook
Source: Pixie Chicks
If there’s one thing you want your kindergartners to walk away with at the end of the year, it’s the message that reading is fun! Make reading time extra special for them by setting up one of these awesome reading nooks.
9. Fill your classroom library with these classic kindergarten books
Here are our favorite books for teaching kindergarten.
10. Set up sensory tables
Early childhood teachers know that hands-on learning is essential.
Sensory play encourages open-ended thinking, language development, and collaboration and builds fine motor skills. Sensory materials are magically both engaging and calming. Here are our favorites!
11. Set up a writing area
Source: Enchanted Kinder Garden
Writing is so important for our early learners. Even when students are just learning to write, it’s important to encourage the process. Having a dedicated writing time helps shift a child’s focus. Some classrooms even have a dedicated space for writing. Here is an easy setup for a writing center.
The First Days of School
12. Take your class on a mini-adventure on the first day
“I teach routines and rules, but I also go on some kind of ‘adventure.’ My adventure is going through the school to find where everything is: the bathrooms, the nurse, the front office, the cafeteria (which we practice going through the line), library, etc. I’ve done fishing where I have fish (or a jungle animal if that was my theme) hanging at each place and they collect them in a bucket as we go around taking turns and collecting through the whole school.
They love it.” —Dana H.
13. Keep in mind that the kids have expectations too
Source: Rainbows Within Reach
“Kids go to their first day of kindergarten expecting to learn how to read that very day. So you have to do some choral reading of big books or poems so that they know that they have begun to learn to read. Just one big book. Read it many times that day. If they go home seeing themselves as scholars on the first day of school, you will have set the tone for the whole year.” —Becky N.
14. Help the parents of your students on the first day because it’s a tough transition for them too
“You will have a room full of parents on the first day, so to have a smooth goodbye, I wrap a box with Kinder Bear (any stuffed bear) inside. After the kids are sitting on the carpet, I tell them that I have a friend I’d like them to meet, but that he’s shy. I pretend to listen to the bear and tell the kids he wants you to say bye to Mom & Dad so he can come out and play.
The parents will ‘get’ the message and leave, and the students will be eager to meet Kinder Bear!” —Denise B.
15. Start at the
very beginningSource: Pre-K Pages
“Don’t assume they know how to do anything. Teach them everything. How to knock at the bathroom door, how to close it behind them, how to wash hands, throw away towels … routines, routines, routines.” —Shannon T.
16. Keep in mind how close to “baby” your students really are
“Remember, they are 60-month-olds! That always gives me perspective the first few weeks teaching kindergarten.” —Michelle K.
17. Choose amazing read-alouds for the first week of school
Source: Enchanted Kinder Garden
Go ahead and “add to cart” on Amazon to get first-week read-alouds and back-to-school books they’ll love.
18. Make keepsake drawings that will show growth from the beginning of the year
Source: Splish Splash Splatter
“I would have them do a self-portrait the first day and then another one the last week and look at the difference! You will want to start and demo one of yourself just to give them an idea of what to do.
You might be surprised at the results and your parents will save it forever—mine did. I still have one I drew as a kinder or first grader.” —Julia A.
19. Start the year with firm expectations and clear routines
“Don’t worry about the curriculum. Just focus on the routines and rules. One of the best bits of advice I got from a professor was that the kids WANT to love you so don’t be afraid to be strict with the rules and set down your boundaries right out of the gate. I’ve been teaching for 20 years, and I learned that the hard way. Have fun, play games, let them see your playful side, but take the time to let them know what is expected of them.” —Julie S.
Check out these first day routines and procedures for more ideas!
20. Teach kids
exactly how to listenSource: First Grade Garden
Don’t expect that they will come to you knowing what listening looks like. Here’s how to teach them.
21. Teach kids how to make friends
Source: First and Kinder Blue Skies
Some of your students will make friends naturally.
Some of them will need your help. How to be a friend is one of the most important lessons they can leave their first year of school with. Here’s an activity you can do to help them.
22. Find fun ways to teach all of the routines your little ones will need to know all year long
“For my lines in the hallway, I say ‘There’s a cloud with marshmallows falling down (wiggle fingers like they’re falling from above), everyone catch a marshmallow!’ Pretend to catch and say, ‘now put it in your mouth and chew chew chew chew and keep your finger on your lips so it doesn’t fall out’ until you get to the cafeteria, playground, etc. They’ll walk around with their cheeks puffed up pretending to chew. Some might say they ate it, so tell them to catch another or it’s too big to eat the whole thing and keep chewing! I’ve heard teachers say ‘catch a bubble.’ It’s the same concept. When I need instant silence I say, ‘Catch a marshmallow!’ and there is quiet immediately.” —Heikel F.
Here is our list of must-teach classroom routines and procedures.
Classroom Management Tips
23. Use anchor charts
Creating anchor charts for and with your students helps them learn and remember lessons about topics like friendship, shapes, counting, letters, beginning writing, and more.
24. Keep your kids moving all day long
Source: You Clever Monkey
“Plan lessons/activities that last no more than 15 minutes, with some kind of movement activity in between. (Moving from the circle to the table counts, as does clapping a pattern, or Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.)” —Anne H.
25. Do proper assessments
Teachers need to ultimately adapt their teaching to suit students’ needs. You want all of your students to be successful; that’s why these kindergarten assessment ideas are so important.
26. Combine multiple objectives into a single lesson
Source: Childcareland Pre-K
Teach children number sense and fine motor skills at the same time.
The kids will love using the hole punch in this activity and will improve their number sense at the same time.
27. Teach with centers
Teaching with centers is one of the easiest ways to work through your curriculum while teaching kindergarten. And kids love them! Check out our kindergarten literacy centers for more ideas.
28. Get the wiggles out
Incorporating brain breaks will help all of your students when they just need a break from learning!
29. Give your kids visual cues to help them follow your directions
Source: Mrs. Maya’s Kinders
“I have my kids line up on numbers. They stay on the same number all year. This saves so much time. We can line up in less than 15 seconds. Their toes touch the number but don’t cover it so I can see it.” —Debbie N.
30. Keep little fingers cleaner with this trick
Source: Lucky Little Learners
“Glue sponges! There are several videos online for making them. So awesome to not deal with the bottle of glue mess or those littles who can’t close the bottle and spill glue in their supplies!” —Anita D.
31. Use a washable stuffed animal as a class pet
Source: A First for Everything
Low maintenance (essential for teaching kindergarten), high fun! Kids will love taking turns bringing it home to care for it over the weekend.
32. Routine, routine, routine
Veterans who’ve been teaching kindergarten for years said this again and again on our Helpline: Probably more than any other age group in elementary school, kindergartners thrive on their routine. “Plan fun and easy activities for the first week so you can keep focused on the routine.” —Sarah S.
Curriculum Tips and Tricks
33. Tailor your science to their needs
These fun and free science activities were put together just for your kindergarten students! They’ll learn how the world works through play and experiments.
34. Try daily STEM challenges
These STEM challenges are designed with your kinders in mind. Try one each day or each week to get their minds thinking outside the box.
35. Use these strategies for writing instruction
From invented spelling to punctuation and using words in context, these tips will help your newbie writers catch on quickly.
36. Use hands-on alphabet activities
Go on a scavenger hunt, play with shaving cream, and much more. These alphabet activities are perfect for your class.
37. Incorporate daily writing prompts
We’ve gathered writing prompts that you can download and use to get your kinders practicing their writing skills.
38. Use “space people” to help your beginning writers learn to use spaces between words
Source: Time 4 Kindergarten
Put an astronaut stick down when you get to the end of a word, so you know where to start the next one!
39. Put sight words front and center
Source: Life With Moore Babies
Keep track of important sight words in fun ways and keep them visually front and center like this growing word-a-pillar.
40.
Teach word familiesSource: Teacher Karma
This method is tried-and-true among kindergarten teachers. Check out the link for seven simple steps for using word families to teach reading.
41. Bring technology (in small doses) into the classroom
Check out our guide to teaching kindergarten online for tips using technology when teaching kindergarten.
42. Sneak in the learning with games
“I like playing ‘I have, who has’ games. I take their picture on the first day of school and create an ‘I have who has’ game with their photos. It’s a great way for them to learn names, plus I use their picture for everything.” —Lisa G.
Check out our favorite educational toys and games for kindergarten.
43. Organize your instruction around themes
When you structure your lessons thematically, you provide your kids with more “hooks” for learning. Check out this blog by Fun-a-Day for some great ideas.
44. Find hands-on ways to teach number sense
Source: The Printable Princess
Number sense is key in kindergarten.
You’ll want to cover it again and again. Here are some ideas for teaching number sense.
45. Incorporate kindergarten math games
Kindergarten offers so many opportunities to help students find learning truly enjoyable. These kindergarten math games teach concepts in fun and meaningful ways.
46. Watch math videos
Making math more engaging for kids can be difficult. But teaching math will be anything but boring when you introduce students to some of our favorite subtraction and addition videos on YouTube.
47. Begin teaching shapes
Learning shapes is one of the earliest concepts we teach kids. Shapes ready them for geometry in the years ahead, but it’s also an important skill for learning how to write and draw. Get started with these activities.
48. Count the days of school and celebrate when you reach 100
There are so many different fun ways to celebrate the 100th day of school. We’ve got a whole collection of activities for you!
49.
Use music for everything“Music is needed and is a good way to transition. Find a welcome song and an afternoon song (can be the same tune with different words) to start and close your day. It makes a world of difference.” —Anne H.
50. Keep activity sticks on hand so you never have a terrifying “What do I do with them
now?” momentSource: Keep Calm and Teach On
One of the most repeated pieces of advice in our Helpline group about teaching kindergarten is that you should always overplan for this age group. These activity sticks are a fantastic safety net when you suddenly find that your lesson went twice as fast as you expected.
51. Go on a field trip
Kinders are a wild bunch, and taking them anywhere might seem daunting, but field trips provide kids with the kind of real-world learning that really sticks with them. These kindergarten field trips will keep your young students interested and (mostly) out of trouble.
We even have virtual ones!
52. Incorporate LOTS of art
Hands-on learning is best for little ones. We’ve gathered our favorite fun and interesting projects.
Taking Care of You
53. Take care of yourself
Teaching kindergarten requires a different kind of energy. Eat well and try to get an extra hour of sleep if you can. “When I switched from teaching second grade to teaching kindergarten, I was exhausted for the first two months. It’s physically taxing.” —Karen E.
Here are some teacher self-care ideas to consider.
54. Connect with a community of educators outside of your own school
Teaching is hard! Join our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE Facebook group and connect with other teachers to talk about challenges and triumphs and ask questions.
55. Follow kindergarten teachers and bloggers
Keep a pulse on what’s happening in your grade level with our favorite teachers sharing on topics ranging from crafts to addressing important multicultural issues.
56. Laugh with your kids
Kindergartners love to laugh as much as the rest of us! These funny books will add some humor and levity to your day. Plus, check out these jokes just for kindergartners!
57. Keep a “sub tub” on hand for those days when you just can’t make it into school
Source: Supply Me
Fill your sub tub with all the lessons and activities your sub will need in case you have an unexpected absence.
58. Plan fun annual events for your students and their families
Source: Kindercraze
Whether it’s Cupcakes With Caregivers, a fall feast, or a spring BBQ, kindergartners love traditions. And they love to include their families. Here are some tips on making these events inclusive for all your students.
59. And last, but certainly not least, give them lots (and lots) of time to play
“Playtime teaches kids how to get along with others so that they can effectively learn in a classroom. It’s so important, especially in kindergarten.
” —Michelle S.
Check out our educational toys for kindergarten and why dolls belong in the classroom!
We’d love to hear—what are your favorite tips and tricks for teaching kindergarten? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out our guide to the kindergarten classroom.
How to help your child adapt to kindergarten - August 30, 2020
Experts recommend not leaving your child in kindergarten all day long
Photo: NGS archive
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Going to kindergarten is always an exciting moment for a child as well as for parents. Once in an unfamiliar environment, the kids begin to miss mom and dad, ask to go home, cry. To avoid this, or at least reduce stress for the child, you need to prepare him for this exciting moment. NGS journalist Ekaterina Evstafieva spoke with child psychologist-psychoanalyst Dana Kotchenko and director of the Akvarel kindergarten Tatyana Klyushnitsina, who talked about what will help the baby adapt.
- It is very important for parents to mark this event - to tell, to prepare, so that he understands: this is part of his growing up, it will make him better, bring a lot of pleasure. Emphasize what the child himself might like in this area. And then it is imperative that when he goes to the kindergarten, every time he says it, - explains the psychologist.
At the same time, it is important to explain to the child the advantages that he can receive. For example, you can focus on the fact that at home there is no large playground, which is there, there are not so many toys, children with whom you can communicate.
When a parent gathers his child for kindergarten, it is better for him to be able to choose what he will wear, what toy he will take with him.
— This also binds the child to the fact that this is his choice, responsibility, his freedom, despite the fact that the conditions are dictated by the parents. But when his individuality is added to this process, adaptation is more comfortable, says Dana Kotchenko.
It is necessary to introduce the baby into a new life gradually. In the first two days, it is best to leave your son or daughter in kindergarten until lunch.
— On the third day, the child may stay to sleep. That is, for the first two days he saw his crib, he understands that all the children go to bed. He already understands that they go to bed during the day. And he, too, is waiting for him to lie down on his bed. On the third day, we recommend picking up the child immediately after sleep, Tatyana Klyushnitsyna explained.
As a rule, adaptation takes place within a week. But it also happens that the child becomes comfortable already on the first day, and then he is immediately ready to stay. It is important to monitor his behavior and reactions so that being in the garden is not stressful for the baby.
- Now the first week is an adaptation, for some it takes even longer. It happens that the child immediately comes and he is comfortable, so he is ready to stay.
It is necessary to monitor the reaction of educators and the reaction of the child. If it’s hard for him, then you need to make sure that this is not a critical stress. In any case, there are standard milestones in the city - first the child stays for two hours, then until lunch, then for daytime sleep, the psychologist says.
When choosing a kindergarten, when a parent visits its website and studies the information, it is possible to show the child pictures showing the building, groups and playground. This is necessary so that the baby knows in advance what awaits him.
Tatyana Klyushnitsina told that a child can be explained how his day will be with the help of ordinary toys:
— In the game, the mother went to work, the child is in the kindergarten: the children play there, draw, and in the evening the mother comes. It is important to make it clear that the child will not stay there because he has a fear of being abandoned.
She noted that parents often create a negative image of the kindergarten, scaring the child.
For example, they say such phrases: “If you don’t eat, they won’t take you to the kindergarten”, “If you don’t fasten up, they won’t take you to the kindergarten.”
— Kindergarten is bullied, and then they are surprised that the child does not want to go. On the contrary, you need to be positive,” explains Tatyana. - No cheating. You can come for a walk in advance so that the child gets to know the teachers, the children, so that he does not have fear and tension.
According to experts, it is impossible to say exactly when is the best time to send a child to kindergarten.
— 27 years ago, three-year-old children were not so ready for society. They were more domestic, now they are gone. Many parents come and say that they go to the playground or to the mall, and the child just runs to the children because he wants to communicate. In such a situation, you don’t need to hold back, ”says the director of the kindergarten.
According to the psychologist, parents need to assess their child's maturity and focus on it.
- I don't think there is an ideal age. For example, in France, a nursery is an absolutely normal practice. There, children are given from an early age. Despite the fact that psychologists often say that it is early, it is much more important how it happens, and not at what age. Even if you give the child away early, but do it on the right conditions, it will not be such a severe injury. It is important to understand society,” said Dana Kotchenko.
At the same time, one must understand that France is a completely different state. If in Russia it is accepted that children are sent to kindergarten after 2.5 years, then you need to understand that parents may feel guilty for this due to social pressure. And this can affect the child.
In order for the child's level of anxiety not to rise, it is necessary that the parents themselves broadcast calmness.
— The most important thing that will give a child confidence is the confidence of the parents themselves in who they give the child to, trust in the person and in this place.
The parent should work on this himself, because often the anxiety of the parents causes the anxiety of the children, says the psychologist.
The problem with adaptation can also arise due to the fact that babies, as a rule, do not have time references. Because of this, when the mother leaves, it seems to the child that she is gone forever. Thus, the level of anxiety begins to increase - it is provoked by the unknown. Therefore, bringing the child to kindergarten, you need to let him know: mom will return. To create guidelines for him, you can rely on the regime of the day. For example, say: “Today I will come early when you just wake up” or “When you take a walk today, I will pick you up,” rather than naming specific hours.
It is important for the child to be able to talk about his own experiences. This applies to both going to kindergarten and other life situations.
— For example, if a child has lost a toy and is upset, it is important not to take away these feelings, not to ignore them, not to divert attention, but to talk about them.
“Are you upset? I get very upset when I lose my things. Do you really need her? Let's find her together. If we can't find her, we can grieve for her, because there are no other options now. It’s not scary,” explains Dana Kotchenko. - Parents need to discuss such trifles and say what they themselves feel in such situations. To show by example how an adult can deal with this and that the priority of an adult is to be able to work and experience these feelings without pushing them far away.
The psychologist also explained that when discussing problems, one should not exaggerate them by artificially exaggerating the scale. It's worth looking for a balance. The fact that the parent himself will tell how he experiences this moment will also help in the adaptation of the child.
— You can say: “I will be bored, sad, unusual without you, because we used to spend so much time together, but now there are such circumstances. You will go to the kindergarten, and as soon as you come, tell what happened to you, and I will tell what happened to me.
So the child understands that the mother or father has things to do, that the parent is not waiting outside the door. I must say that life goes on for parents when the baby is in kindergarten, - the psychologist explained.
Another important aspect that you should pay attention to when adapting a child is the ability to act in conflict with other children.
— Only discussion and encouragement of the child's independence can help. Not a very fair practice, when mom and dad quarrel with other parents or caregivers in front of him. You can talk with the teacher and find out how the baby went through the day, what were the important moments, but you need to respect personal boundaries with the child, the psychologist explains.
Parents should not be in conflict with caregivers, especially if they do it in front of their child. You can talk to the mom or dad of the pupil with whom quarrels regularly occur. At the same time, in conversations with your child, you should not give him advice that will suppress his emotions (“Stop being offended”, “Pay no attention”) or provoke aggression in him (“Give him back”, “Do the same to him” ).
The main thing is to teach the child to cope with their feelings and understand how to act independently in such a situation.
This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, kindergartens have changed their work. How the morning filter will take place, who will have to wear masks and whether it is necessary to take a test for covid, read in the report of the NHS.
How to help a child adapt to kindergarten?
06/01/2016
Views: 44747
Where does kindergarten begin? Strange as it may seem, the kindergarten begins with parting, with the mother saying goodbye to the baby, from the moment when he is left alone with someone else's aunt and strangers. Therefore, we, parents, need to prepare both ourselves and the child for this difficult test.
Let's start with ourselves. We ourselves are often to blame for the fact that the baby is crying and does not want to let go of his mother's hand. We are very sorry for him, mentally we draw sad pictures: here he is crying, here he is not playing with anyone, and so on.
We are indecisive, we do not leave and we are waiting for something. Stop! Set yourself up positively, even if your own kindergarten experience was far from joyful. After all, a kindergarten is a necessary "school" of life, and in it, as in life, there will be both joyful and sad moments.
Indisputable advantages
The main advantage of the kindergarten is that the child gets the opportunity to communicate with peers. He does not just play, he gets an invaluable experience of interaction, sympathy, empathy, collective creativity and cooperation. All this prepares the child for later life. It is at this time that the formation of character takes place, the basic principles of life are laid.
Inevitable cons
In addition to the positive experience of communication, the child also receives negative models of behavior: some children learn to snitch, suck up, others learn to command and indicate, and others learn to obey. 8 hours of extreme stress of all forces, a small person simply can not stand it.
He becomes aggressive, irritable, whiny. As a result of such an overstrain, the child becomes ill. Frequent colds are an inevitable companion of a kindergarten child.
Of course, it would be ideal to bring a child aged 4-5 years to kindergarten for half a day. But, unfortunately, few working mothers today can afford it.
Getting ready for the first day
Start from afar. You need to prepare in advance for the idea of a kindergarten, the need to attend it. But this does not mean that we need to talk about it every day, do not turn this event into a problem.
Tell your child about the kindergarten, that there are a lot of children, new toys, swings, etc. If possible, go there, play on the playground, get to know the teacher. Create a mood of joyful expectation in your baby. At the same time, prepare him for the upcoming separation: practice short separations (to the store, to work). Create your own farewell ritual. The child must be sure that you always come back! In the early days, stay with him for some time in kindergarten, do not leave immediately.
And when parting, be sure to say that you will return for him. As a rule, many children get used to the new conditions after a few days.
Before entering kindergarten, it is important to form a child's sense of self-confidence, and this is impossible without the development of independence. Observe the baby, whether he knows how to dress himself, sit on the potty, eat, play. Help him learn all these things. Play with your child the game "Let's get to know each other, let's play", role-playing games teach the baby to communicate, express their thoughts, build sentences. Of course, all children are different. A sociable and smiling baby in the kindergarten may turn out to be silent. It is impossible to unequivocally predict what the child's reaction will be and how this difficult period will develop in his life.
How soon will the child get used to kindergarten?
The average period of adaptation to kindergarten, according to experts, is 7-10 days at toddler age, 2-3 weeks at 3 years, and 1 month at senior preschool age.
In a word, the older the child, the longer it takes him to get used to new conditions. Psychologists believe that the peculiarities of a child's getting used to a new environment depend on many factors: the type of nervous system and health status, personality traits, family atmosphere, conditions of stay in kindergarten. The greatest difficulties in adaptation are experienced by children with poor health, who quickly get tired of noise, have difficulty falling asleep during the day, and have poor appetite. It is hard to get used to kindergarten overprotective children who do not have self-care skills, anxious. It is easier for sanguine and choleric people to adapt to new conditions, for phlegmatic and melancholic people it is harder.
It is important for parents to know that some children cannot get used to kindergarten. Alarming signals that speak of the emotional distress of the child, that he suffers greatly in the conditions of kindergarten, is hard to endure parting with his mother, are a steady unwillingness to attend kindergarten, crying, whims in the morning, frequent illnesses, poor appetite, restless sleep.
In older preschool age, poorly adapted children may even develop nervous symptoms in the form of nail biting, tics, and stuttering.
Why do children get sick so often in kindergarten?
In addition to psychological preparation, your baby must be ready for this difficult test and physically. Each child must undergo a medical examination and take tests before attending kindergarten. So. The pediatrician has given you a conclusion that your child is ready to attend kindergarten. Great! But this does not mean at all that the baby will not get sick. All mothers are interested in the answer to the same question: “Why do children get sick so often?” Why they get sick is understandable. The child's body meets with unfamiliar bacteria, viruses. The immune system is formed, and this process is accompanied by SARS, runny nose. Thus, there is a "training" of immunity. But why does this happen so often? Psychologists will answer this question. Adaptation is usually difficult with a lot of negative changes in the child's body.
These shifts occur at all levels, in all systems. The baby is in a special state, which psychologists call the "third state" between health and illness. This means that not today, tomorrow your child will either just get really sick, or will become himself again. It all depends on the degree of stress. If it is minimal, you will soon forget about the negative shifts in the adaptation process and what worries you today. This will talk about easy or favorable adaptation. If the severity of stress is great, the child will obviously have a breakdown and presumably become ill.
How to strengthen the child's defenses?
The best way to avoid numerous colds during the period of adaptation to kindergarten is hardening. It is best to start hardening procedures in the summer. It is easiest to do this: let the baby spend more time outdoors, bathe in natural reservoirs, run barefoot. It is important not to abandon this "useful thing" when the summer is over. Let the child walk barefoot at home, wash dishes, play with water.
When going for a walk, dress it according to the weather. It's great if you organize regular visits to the pool.
Psychologists advise parents during the period of adaptation of the child to kindergarten:
1. Set up the child in a major way. To inspire him that it is very great that he has grown to the garden and has become so big.
2. Do not leave him in the preschool team for the whole day, take him home as early as possible.
3. Create a calm, conflict-free climate for him in the family.
4. Spare his weakened nervous system.
5. Do not increase, but reduce the load on the nervous system. Cut down on TV viewing.
6. As soon as possible, inform the doctor and caregivers about the personal characteristics of the baby.
7. Do not wrap your child, but dress him as necessary in accordance with the temperature in the group.
8. To create on Sundays at home for him the regime is the same as in a children's institution.
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