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Publication #FAR1706

Getting Ready for Elementary School1

Suzanna Smith2

In recent years in the U.S., there's been a great deal of discussion about school readiness that points to children, schools, families, and communities all playing an important role in preparing children for school.

Part of the transition to school involves helping children learn basic numbers, shapes, and letters. But that's not all. Kindergarten teachers surveyed in the U.S. want kindergartners to be prepared for the classroom environment, to be able to communicate their needs, follow directions, care about other children's feelings, and be enthusiastic and curious about learning new things.

For young children starting elementary school, the transition to kindergarten is a big change, even if the child has been in a preschool program. Stress may be brought on by longer days away from parents, a more structured classroom routine, and being separated from friends. Parents should be aware of signs of stress in their children and be prepared to help them make a comfortable transition during this exciting time.

To help your child start school with less stress, go to the meet-the-teacher day or any special programs for incoming kindergarteners. Keep lines of communication open. Ask simple questions about the day. Help children see the upcoming changes as exciting and fun. Keep the normal bedtime and mealtime routines that help young children feel a sense of comfort and predictability, and be extra supportive during the first week or so of school. Being prepared to help your children navigate those first few weeks can help them get their school year off to a successful start.

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our Web site at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

To listen to the radio broadcast:

http://www.radiosource.net/radio_stories/elem.mp3

http://www.radiosource.net/radio_stories/elem.wav

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR1706, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published February 2008. In the interest of time or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, and Executive Producer, Family Album Radio, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.