What parents should know about sending their child to kindergarten

Enrollment for pre-school and kindergarten is underway at the Hamtramck Public School District. Photo supplied by HPS

 

By Charles Sercombe
Enrollment for preschool and kindergarten is underway in the Hamtramck Public School District.
We asked the district’s Coordinator of Pupil Services, George Blankenbaker, to talk about the enrollment, and offer tips to parents.

Review: What should parents know?
Blankenbaker: Parents can go to our website at: https://www.hamtramckschools.com/ and then click on the “Enroll Today” button. The webpage that it takes them to lists the requirements for enrollment. This will help them be prepared, prior to visiting the Administration building at 3201 Roosevelt.

Review: Is there a way for parents to determine whether their child is ready for school?
Blankenbaker: Considering your child’s current pre-academic skills (writes name or recognizes letters in name, counting), social skills (follows simple directions, feels comfortable in group), and physical skills (manages bathroom skills, holds a pencil/crayon, hops, skips) can help parents decide if their child is ready for the kindergarten transition.
When in doubt, contact your child’s pre-k teacher, pediatrician, or someone who can provide an unbiased opinion about your child’s ability to meet the expectations of kindergarten.

Review: What is the goal in kindergarten?
Blankenbaker: The goal for kindergarten is to establish friendships, learn how to be a student, develop letter/sound identification, begin learning to read, know number names, count objects, compare numbers and add/subtract. Students will also begin to explore the social studies concepts of community, and basic science principles.

Review: What kind of a day (schedule) do those in kindergarten go through?
Blankenbaker: A typical day in kindergarten consists of specific times designated to give students several opportunities to learn, explore, create, manipulate and question through meaningful activities.
The goal is for each child is to learn and to be challenged at his/her own individual level. Schedules can vary, based on your school and classroom teacher; however, a typical schedule will include: Daily schedule: morning meetings/greetings, language arts, reading and writing, lunch, recess, quiet time/read-alouds, mathematics, science/social studies, hands-on activities, choice activities, and closing meetings.
Special classes include: art, music, physical education or library. Students will attend at least one per day.

Review: What should parents do when their child returns home? Should they ask about their day, and what they learned?
Blankenbaker: Ask about their child’s day, and have them share what they learned. Use the statement, “Tell me three things that you learned today,” or “Name three things that made you feel happy.”
Engaging in a conversation with your child will help them reflect on their day, and will improve their language proficiency skills, while keeping the parents informed on their child’s learning.
Children will understand that their families are very interested in their education, and that education is important. Establishing this routine will pay off as students get older, and will open the communication between parent and child.

Review: How can parents continue to nurture their kindergarten student?
Blankenbaker: Parents can nurture their child(ren) by reading to them daily, and by playing games that touch on the things they are learning in kindergarten. Ask your child to find certain letters on signs as you walk or drive, or count the steps as you walk down your front porch: use big words and explain what they mean.

Review: How will parents know if their child is adapting to school?
Blankenbaker: Parents are able to contact us, and receive updates, on a regular basis through email, telephone, or by using the Dojo app on their phone. Once that communication is established, teachers send information and updates to parents regularly.

Review: What are some helpful tips to help prepare your child for the transition to kindergarten?
Blankenbaker:
●Help them develop independence at home
●Ask questions, to spark conversations and foster oral language
●Focus on self-help skills
●Develop and follow routines
●Engage them in meaningful literacy activities/Read-alouds
●Acknowledge their feelings
●Stay up-to-date on their vaccinations
●Have them practice counting things like plates on the table, people in the car, etc.
●Introduce them to reading by having them “read” signs that are familiar, like Kroger’s, Walmart, “Stop,” etc.
●Read to your child every night. It doesn’t matter what language you read to them in
●Practice writing their name
Posted May 14, 2021

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