The first days of kindergarten are often eagerly anticipated yet shrouded in mystery. Many parents wonder what those all-important first days will be like. Want to know what your little moppet will be doing at “big kid” school? Read on for a sneak peek!
The activities planned for the first few days of kindergarten are designed to allow the teacher and children to get to know each other and build trust. A friendly group chat is often the first thing on the list. During this activity, everyone is invited to introduce themself and get acquainted with the others. Below are a few things you can practise with your little one to prepare them for this activity:
- Following instructions
- Waiting their turn before speaking
- Looking at the person speaking
- Asking questions
- Answering questions (e.g., How old are you? How many brothers or sisters do you have? Do you have a pet?)
- Etc.
On the first day of school, the teacher will go over the daily class routine. The children will gradually become familiar with this routine, which will help them find their bearings. Setting up simple routines at home can also help prevent your little one from feeling overwhelmed during their first days of school. Here are some examples:
- After returning from the grocery store or from daycare, have your child hang up their coat, take off their boots, wash their hands, etc.
- Before dinner, have your child put away toys, wash their hands, put on their bib, etc.
- At bedtime, have your child brush their teeth, put on their pajamas, choose a book, etc.
- Etc.
First-year kindergartners are usually eager to take a look around the classroom they’ll be occupying over the next school year. The teacher will give them the opportunity to freely explore the play areas on their first day. Playtime blocks are also part of the daily schedule. With so much to discover, it’ll be an exciting time for your child. But to get along with their classmates, they’ll need to remember certain rules. To help your child start the year off on the right foot, it’s a good idea to teach them the following skills:
- How to use basic conversational words and phrases (e.g., hello, thank you, please)
- How to share and work with others
- How to follow instructions
- How to wait their turn
- How to resolve conflicts
- Etc.
During the first few days of kindergarten, your child will likely participate in a number of activities that involve moving about and getting their heart rates up. Why? Because physical activity is not only healthy, but it also contributes to the development of social and gross motor skills. Here are some fun things you can do together to help your little one get the most out of these activities:
- Play catch
- Skip rope
- Go tobogganing
- Go for bike rides
- Etc.
With all the thrill and novelty of the first day of kindergarten, the teacher will usually give the children a little quiet time to relax. This activity is intended to help the kids calm down, regain their focus, and dissipate any pent-up energy. It can take many forms:
- Breathing exercises
- Story time
- Visualization
- Etc.
Why not try some of these relaxation activities at home? For example, ask your child to lie down on their back and do the following:
- Inhale deeply through their nose, then exhale slowly through their mouth (repeat this 10 times)
- Concentrate on nothing but their hands for two minutes (feel their weight, any tingling sensations, etc.)
- Imagine a beach, hear the sound of the water, feel the heat of the sand
- Etc.
This article describes how a typical kindergarten class is structured. In reality, of course, every teacher has their own approach. If you have any concerns or would like to get a better idea of how your child’s first day will unfold (for example, if you have a child with special needs), contact one of the members of your child’s school team.
Writing : The Alloprof Parents' team
Scientific review : Marie-Hélène Leblond, early childhood education consultant