Child Development: Transitioning from Pre-K to Kindergarten

1. Child Development: Transitioning from Pre-K to Kindergarten

2. Objectives: • Understanding the child’s feelings • Discuss developmental and growth patterns • Provide activities for teacher to do in their classrooms • Relate to the TN-ELDS

3. Ice breaker • Favorite memory of Kindergarten • What did you love and dislike about kindergarten? • Share with a partner • Share your own “experiences” about going off to school with the children. This helps them get prepared and not feel overwhelmed.

4. The summer just before children enter kindergarten is NOT soon enough!! Ideally most transitional activities should begin when children are three, repeated at four- adding level of comprehension for increase in age.

5. Understand the child’s feelings: • This is a big transition • The child may be: sad, scared, happy, excited, nervous • Take a balloon and blow it up. • Now think of a challenge a preschooler may experience when entering kindergarten.

6. Transition to Kindergarten • The move from pre-k to kindergarten is one of the most critical moves that a child will make. • Early childhood experts agree that the quality of this transition can impact a child’s successful adjustment to school.

7. DEVELOPMENTAL PROFILES AND GROWTH PATTERNS OF KINDERGARTERS

8. Developmental Profiles and Growth Patterns • Gains 4-5 lbs per year • Grows an average 2-3 inches • May begin to lose baby teeth • Body is adult-like in proportion • Requires 1800 calories per day

9. DAILY ROUTINES :Eating • Eats well, but not at every meal • Likes familiar foods • Often adopts food dislikes of family members and teachers • “Makes” breakfast (pours cereal,etc.) and lunch (puts peanut butter/jelly on bread)

10. DAILY ROUTINES Toileting, Bathing and Dressing • Takes full responsibility for own toileting…may put off going to bathroom • Bathes fairly independently • Dresses self completely…learning to tie shoes • Careless with clothes; leaves them strewn about…needs many reminders to pick up • Uses tissue for blowing nose but may be careless or forget to throw away tissue

11. DAILY ROUTINES : Sleeping • Manages all routines associated with getting ready for bed independently • Averages 10-11 hours of sleep per night – the five year old may still nap • Dreams and nightmares are common • Delays going to sleep if the day has been exciting or anticipation of the next day

12. DAILY ROUTINES Play and Social Activities • Carries out family chores and routines • Knows the “right” way to do things and has the “right” answers..may be somewhat opinionated • Remains attached to home and family..does not want to stray too far • Plays well with other children, but three may be a crowd • Shows affection and affection toward younger siblings

13. Activity • Please brainstorm and discuss activities that should occur in your classroom, so a preschooler will be prepared for kindergarten.

14. Tips for Teachers: • Teach children to enjoy “reading time” • Beforehand, talk to him about sitting quietly, listening during the story and raising his/her hand to answer the teacher's questions afterward. Praise him/her for meeting your expectations. • Re-read simple stories often • Read books about the changes and new experiences involved in going to kindergarten

15. Teach your child to use the restroom independently. While most children entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten are toilet-trained, many require help with buttons and zippers, forget to flush and must be reminded to wash their hands.

16. Teach the child their full name and how to write and spell it. • Recognize the letters in the alphabet • Recognize simple words

17. Start practicing lunchroom procedures with the children. • Ask yourself: Can the children open a milk carton and poke a straw into a juice box? Is she/he comfortable speaking to a stranger to indicate what he wants on his lunch tray? Does he know how to sit at a table to eat and clean up his place when finished? What is appropriate “lunch” talk. • Occasionally set up meals/snacks – cafeteria style. Begin by having children carry one item

18. Provide lunch trays and empty milk cartons in the dramatic play area • Provide trays in the fine motor area – with different materials..puzzles,etc • As the year progresses, give children additional responsibilities for classroom care • Gradually increase the amount of time that children work and/or play with peers

19. Arrange for a school bus to come and visit • Have the children dictate letters to the kindergartners at schools in their attendance areas • Talk to the children about what is alike/different about kindergarten and their current program • If visits to schools are not possible – create a video/virtual tour of an elementary school…(be sure that no schoolchildren are in it unless permission has been given)

20. Create an “All About School” scrapbook with pictures of schools and various personnel. Add to the book through the year. • Invite older siblings to share their entering school experiences. • Make children feel safe and know that they will be safe in kindergarten!

21. Relating it to the TN-ELDS • Walkabout: take notes of ideas/activities • In groups: pick one of the idea/activity and correlate it with the revised TN-ELDS book

22. Keep in mind: • Parents also need support during this time. They need the opportunity to explore their own feelings and to prepare their children for the upcoming changes. • Journal writing and drawing can help families express feelings about going to kindergarten. • Keep it positive!!

23. Resources: • Education Matters: Five tips to get your children ready for kindergarten by Jill Fox http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2013/jul/20/ys_education_matters_072113_215043/?features&education • Lynn Amwake, Program Specialist, SERVE, North Carolina Partnership for ChildrenResource: “Kindergarten Transitions: How Pre-K Teachers Can Help”, • Allen, K. E. & Marotz, L (2003). Developmental Profiles: Pre-birth through Twelve 4thEdition Delmar: Clifton Park, NY