Addison County PreK

Information about 2024-25 kindergarten transition events and other information about what to expect at each Addison County school is here!

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Getting to Know Your Kindergartener

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You may be excited and a bit worried about your child’s kindergarten transition. This is a big step for many families, both adults and children, as children head off to what may be a larger school and more independence.  

 

We hope information provided by the school helps you begin to know your child’s school and what to expect.  Most area schools have their handbooks and other information posted on their websites and will also send mailings to all kindergarteners in the spring. If your child has not participated in a publicly-funded PreK program or if you have recently moved, please contact the school directly to be sure they have your updated contact information. Contact information for the schools is listed below.

Addison County schools will reach out to you to connect about your child prior to school start. Most schools will offer opportunities for visits and will send you mailings, and some will contact you by phone or email. Communication with the schools provides kindergarten teachers with a chance to get to know children’s skills and interests and gives families a chance to learn more about the school.  Most preschool programs will also communicate with your child's school to help them learn more.

 

Communicating About Your Child

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Here are some of the questions that a kindergarten teacher might ask you about your child:

 

• How is your child feeling about starting kindergarten? What are your hopes for your child in kindergarten?

• Does your child know other children who will be coming to kindergarten? What is their relationship like?

• Does your child use the bathroom and/or dress independently?

• How does your child sleep and eat? Does your child nap?

• Has your child ever attended a preschool or child care program? How does your child separate from you? 

• How does your child play with friends? Can he/she cooperate or take turns?

• What does your child like to play with? Can your child focus on a quiet activity for 10 minutes or more?

• Does your child enjoy stories and books?

• How does your child handle disappointment, frustration, and other strong emotions? What helps your child to calm down if needed?

• Can your child communicate clearly? Can he/she follow simple directions and ask for help if needed?

• Has your child had any significant medical events or developmental challenges in his/her life?

• Who are the people in your child’s life that are important to him or her?

You and your child will also have questions for the school. We hope that many of these are addressed here or in mailings from the school, but if not, please reach so that we can assist you.

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Kindergarten "Readiness"

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Some families worry as kindergarten approaches that their child is not ‘ready’ for kindergarten or will not get enough support at school: "Will my child have enough time to eat lunch?" "My child sings the ABC's, but can only name a few letters." "What if my child needs help in the bathroom?" “My child doesn’t know the other children in his/her class”. 

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If you are feeling worried about your child’s transition to kindergarten, our schools want to reassure you that children arrive at school with many different skills and needs. Kindergarten teachers are experienced at supporting all children in their classrooms. 

 

If you feel that your child may need extra support - whether that is with self-care, medical, social, or academic needs - the best thing to do is to discuss that with your child’s school. If your school offers a transition day, be sure to attend as these are perfect opportunities to connect directly with kindergarten teachers and other school staff such as guidance counselors, nurses, and principals.  If your child works with a special educator, that person will also help your family with the transition.

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Preparing for Kindergarten

 

Most kindergarten teachers will let you know that a child’s approach to learning and his/her social-emotional skills are the most important of all the school readiness skills.  Children do not need to use flashcards or apps to prepare for academic learning.  Instead, you and your family can prepare for kindergarten with the following activities:

 

• Prepare your child for what to expect in kindergarten by visiting the school with them and talking about their hopes and worries. Talk honestly and enthusiastically about how fun kindergarten will be, but acknowledge their fears and worries as natural.

• Make sure your child gets enough sleep at night (according to pediatricians, kids this age need 10-13 hours!) and try to phase out afternoon naps, if possible.

• Make sure your child eats a good breakfast either before or at school.

• Check with your child’s doctor to make sure your child has all his/her immunizations.

• Arrange playdates with other children who will be in your child’s kindergarten class.

• Help your child learn to become independent in the bathroom and with dressing.

• Read with your child every day for at least 20 minutes and talk with them about the books you read.

• Help your child learn to ask for help and adult attention in appropriate ways.

• Encourage your child to solve problems on their own and to keep trying when a task is hard.

• Play simple board or card games to build skills like turn-taking, following directions, and focus.

• Provide lots of outside time to play, run, climb and balance.

• Teach your child to say their first and last name and help them to recognize their name in print.

• Make sure children have lots of cooperative play time with friends and encourage skills such as sharing, turn-taking and empathy.

• Provide lots of opportunities for children to draw, color and use scissors.

• Ask your child open-ended questions and help them to have back and forth conversations.

• Establish morning and bedtime routines and encourage your child to help with small chores around the house.

• Point out letters and numbers and encourage interest in looking at them or writing them, but don’t demand it if your child is not interested.

• Help children recognize and learn to cope with strong emotions (anger, sadness) by ‘taking a break’, communicating their needs, and breathing deeply.

• Add counting to your daily routines - count as you go upstairs, count snacks, toys, etc.

• Plan to spend extra time on the first day of school, but do not prolong your goodbyes.

You can help your child most by continuing to talk and play with them on a regular basis. ​We are excited to meet you and your child and to help your family successfully navigate this big transition. Addison County schools are ready for your child!

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Separation Anxiety and How to Help

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