How to prepare your child for kindergarten

Kindergarten is a wonderous year for children and parents, it’s both rewarding and a beneficial stepping stone for them in the year leading up to starting big school. 

At C&K, your child will experience play-based learning where they are encouraged to expand on their interests,  ask questions, seek answers and discover the wonderful world around them, all while playing and making friends.  

Why play-based learning?

Children develop many skills through play, and with professional and thoughtful guidance, these are nurtured and encouraged even further. Activities like exploring loose parts, navigating obstacle courses, constructing in the sandpit, creating with paint, and small group discussions are fun for children and teaches them valuable skills. 

Through carefully planned experiences and recognising teachable moments during play, our teachers help children develop their skills as communicating, regulating their emotions, making friendships, sharing, creativity, imaginative play, problem-solving and so much more.   

How to prepare your kindergarten-aged child

As you child draws nearer to starting their kindy journey, whether in a kindergarten or childcare centre, you might be wondering if there is anything you can do at home to get them ready for this new stage in their early learning adventure.

Here are some ideas for activities you can do with your child at home to help them get ready for kindy.  

Talk about and "play" kindy

Having conversations and doing role play with your child are a great way for children to explore their feelings and deepen their understanding about their new adventure. Role playing ideas about what kindy may be like include;  thinking of fun ways to say goodbye at drop off, how to introduce yourself to a new friend, or your child might like to pretend to be their new teacher and you can be the child. Being enthusiastic and talking about all the exciting things your child might experiend at kindy is a great way to help lessen any anxiety.   

Encourage their independence and confidence

Continue to encourage your child to be independent will help them adjust to a kindergarten centre. Little things like picking out their clothes for the day and dressing themselves, packing their lunch box  and eating their lunch independently can help your child build their confidence as well as their fine and gross motor skills.  

Play outdoors and in with your child

Helping your child learn how to set the table, cooking together, building with blocks together, doing craft activities with your child, bouncing and catching balls, and exploring your local parks can help develop motor skills and also mean that your child has a secure base in your relationship, which can they confidently return to from kindy.

Regardless of where your child is at developmentally or emotionally,  when they start at C&K, the kindy environment is one that will encourage and nurture your them on their journey to school, guiding them as they learn new skills, make new friends and create memories to last a lifetime.