Parents, are you prepared for the big transition? Your child’s big leap to Kindergarten that felt so exciting, yet now you’re wondering where the time went? Some of us are ready—more than ready—for our kids to leave. Others want to hold them forever and not let them go (be right back while I go hide my box of tissues!) This bittersweet transition for parents pales in comparison to what our littles are going through. Don’t be surprised if they are tired, emotional, and more lovey (clingy) than usual.
This time of transition is a perfect time to start introducing structure, routine, and good habits for our kids. With these helpful tips, our soon-to-be-Kindergarteners will hopefully be more mentally and emotionally prepared for their big transition.
- The most important meal of the day
Starting your kids off with a structured morning routine is all but certain to make a noticeable difference on the rest of their day. A great place to start is breakfast (they do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day!) Sending your kids out the door well fed, with a healthy lunch in tow can positively impact their adjustment. A few healthy breakfast ideas include: quick scrambled eggs with a side of toast and fruit, oatmeal, or eggs on an English muffin.
- Unpack the backpack
That’s right, the backpack full of messy foods, glittery art projects, and the papers they are supposed to bring home to you! Sometimes you never know what you’re going to find but making it a daily routine to unpack your child’s backpack with them after school can start a very good habit. It’s a great way to connect with them and see what they accomplished that day. The backpack is a great refresher for them and give you some prompts to ask a few questions. Tell me about this art project. What was the hardest thing you did today? Give them all the encouragement and engagement!
- Getting those precious eight hours
A solid bedtime routine is critical for this transition. School will take a lot out of them and they are going to come home wiped out! A great way to get quality time before bed is to shut off the electronics and grab a book instead. Having a bath, putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, and being able to talk with their mom and dad while reading a book can really help calm them down at the end of the day. It’s more important than ever to implement a sense of connection and winding down.
Have another tip to add to this list? Please leave it in the comments below!
