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Kindergarten Anxiety:
We have been shocked as Parent Educators, about how many parents have come to us because of "Kindergarten Anxiety" issues. Parents and teachers alike have come to us with this "condition." It is common among the Pre-K set.
The kindergarten "hype" is making kids so anxious, stress is created, behavior is affected and development is regressing. This is all prior to them starting kindergarten.
I heard it in the store just the other day. I couldn't believe it. "If you don't start being good, you will not be going to kindergarten!" Ok, I realize "the Santa Claus threat" wanes around springtime, but this is ridiculous!
We have one parent that told us how her child reverted back to soiling his pants. He had an accident and she told him he could not go to Kindergarten if he wet his pants anymore. Guess what? He loves preschool and doesn't want to go to Kindergarten. Now, they have an almost 6 year old refusing to use the toilet.
One parent told us they hyped Kindergarten so much in her child's preschool that he would cry even when he heard the word. They did Kindergarten teacher panels, Kindergarten readiness checklist, Kindergarten count down calendar, Kindergarten going away party, Kindergarten graduation etc. etc.
We had preschool teachers beg us to "get the word out" have parents stop shoving Kindergarten down the child's throat. Parents, a 5-week Kindergarten readiness "boot camp" for 4 and 5 year olds is not the answer for every child. Many children can't handle that.
Remember the day when we played at home, with no preschool, and then one day we had a lunch box and we got to go to school like our older siblings? Ok, maybe I am a bit older. I did survive without preschool, and guess what, I did not learn my alphabet until I was in 2nd grade. My Kindergarten report card stated that I was so shy that I would never make it successfully in society. (Those of you who know me as a public speaker are taking a pause to chuckle, I know.)
As a former Kindergarten and preschool teacher and an Early Childhood Specialist being in the field for 31 years, I do have some insight on this. I am also a parent that has a first grader and just spent many (I mean many) a morning in his Kindergarten classroom last year.
Here is the deal... Kindergarten readiness starts at home. It is not about if your kid holds a pencil correctly, or if your child can read already or counts by 5's, or knows all the shapes. These things may be measured on a report card but these are all things learned in the classroom.
The real prep comes before, at home. Do you read to your child everyday? Do you model reading for pleasure? Do you have on-going positive conversation with your child about their interests? Do you treat your child with respect? Do you insist that they treat you with respect? Do they come the first time you call them? Do they pick up their toys when you ask? Can they follow directions? Do they interrupt? Can they sit and be engaged with activities? Can they sit next to another child without poking them? Can they share without fighting? How do they treat other adults?
Now, these are some of the things that you can do to prepare your child for Kindergarten, these are building life skills. Guess what... you never even have to say the "K" word.
The social aspect of Kindergarten is going to make them so much more successful. What if they can read, but refuse to follow directions, don't get along with others and disrespect the teacher? Social Success is huge in school.
And then as the time gets near, there are other things that you can do to prepare them
(not overwhelm them).
Go to the schoolyard and play. Make a strong FUN connection with the environment. You don't even have to mention that this will be their school until it's closer to the time. Make a place for their backpack. Have sharpened pencils. Meet the teacher before, if you can.
There are some great lists of things you can do without overdoing it.
In their last summer before school starts, have fun, play, read, laugh, explore, love, dance, sing. If they are going to camp, find one that they will love.
Leave the "boot camp" for the adults.... not the children.
About the Author:
Family Fuel, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the Central Coast of California and beyond with classes for Parents, Teachers & Counselors.
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