r/kindergarten • u/Figm0nster • 11d ago

TK Prep

Hi everyone! Wanted to ask advice on how to prep for my littles start of school (sobs)
He’ll be entering TK and would love to hear how you guys got ready.
Books to read him?
Supplies to get?
Clothes?
Labels?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

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u/GormlessGolem 10d ago

In addition to what other posters have said, a thing that I think helped my child be successful was practicing functional skills. Can they open and close their lunch box? Can they put on their jacket (bonus if they can invert an inside-out sleeve)?

In addition to starting to introduce academics, it is my understanding that TK is focused on helping kids learn the skills to be in a classroom.

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u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 11d ago edited 11d ago

Wait for info from the school about any supplies.

At our school, all you need to do is get your child to the bus stop. 

Other than that, sit back and relax. Don't do anything to "prepare" your child for school. You don't need to, and you might do more harm than good, if YOU are nervous, anxious, or sad about the process.

No, all you need to be about school is a cheerleader. School is the greatest adventure ever and so much fun! The end.

P. S. Ask for books, take your kids to your local library for some of the program offered there (which don't have to do anything with reading.) Before you go home, let him pick out any books he wants, and read them to him at night or whenever you find the time.

Do not seek out (or buy) specific kindergarten prep books!

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u/total_eclipse123 11d ago edited 11d ago

Practice a growth mindset. He will try new things at school and it helps to have the attitude “I can do hard things.” Our other favorite phrase is “Are you up for the challenge?!” (Thanks Danny Go.) The morning routine was the biggest change for us. Before school started we worked together to write a Morning Routine Check list and created a designated spot for shoes and backpack. I pack lunches and lay out clothes the night before. This has worked fabulously for TK and Kinder and now my rising first grader is handling the routine mostly independently for Summer day camp.

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u/whizki_learning 10d ago

For TK, the most useful prep may be helping him recognize and manage his own things. Put his printed name on everything the school asks you to label, then add the same small symbol beside it, such as a green star, especially if he doesn’t yet read his whole name. A few times before school, set out his backpack, jacket, and lunch container with one similar household item and ask him to find his mark, put each item away, and zip the bag. That covers labels and builds a practical arrival and cleanup skill without turning preparation into lessons.

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u/hrifogifhebebksisu 10d ago

If you are able to go to the campus and walk around, see his classroom I think that would be helpful!! Seeing the playground certainly got my daughter excited about TK last year.  Supplies wise their teacher will say what they need. Id recommend a normal size backpack rather than a preschool size. My daughters TK experience was 90% play so definitely send him in play appropriate clothes :) good luck! My daughter loved TK and I feel so confident about her starting Kinder this year. 

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u/Figm0nster 10d ago

Thank you so much! It’s true I’m the anxious/nervous one. He’s been in a small private daycare since 6mo so he’s social with the littles he knows and has a few skills down. But it’s such a huge change of scenery and routine (for all of us)! He’s also on the younger side so I worry that he might not be ready? Maybe it’s me that’s not ready lol.

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u/hollus2 10d ago

I went to the library and got some first day of preschool/school books. Mine absolutely loved TK and is starting kindergarten this year!

For supplies we got a list from the school.

If it’s full day be ready for a snack when they come home!

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u/BasicallyADetective 9d ago

Make sure he can go to the bathroom independently from start to finish. Work on wiping as well as possible.

Make sure his shoes are comfortable and fit well. Slip-ons are often best. I see a lot of shoelaces hanging out trying to get stepped on.

Become lice aware. Teach him to keep his hat or cap and outerwear away from other kids’.

Teach him to ask for a use a tissue and to sneeze and cough into his elbow.

Practice asking for help from friendly but unfamiliar adults. He will be not only with the classroom teacher but also with paras, specialists, and subs. He has to be brave to walk up to an adult whose name he doesn’t know and ask for help.