Starting Kindergarten

Starting kindergarten can be a difficult transition for kids and their parents as well. That transition can be made easier if parents make sure that their little ones have the social skills they need to master kindergarten. Some of the social skills listed below seem obvious and some seem not as obvious. Working on these skills at home before your child starts kindergarten will help make the transition easier for your child and hopefully for you as well.

How to ask for things appropriately

Your child should know how to ask for a bathroom break, a drink of water, or anything else in an appropriate manner. When thinking of asking for things in an appropriate manner, keep in mind that there will be many more children than adults and that school runs on a structured schedule. Your child should know how to say "May I please . . ." Shouting it from across the room does not count as asking appropriately. Your child should also know how to ask for things without whining. Finally, your child should understand that just because he or she asks for something, does not guarantee that he or she will get it.

Taking "no" for an answer

Along with knowing how to ask for things appropriately, your little one also needs to understand that when the teacher says, "no". That is it. Tantrums, whining, or repeated asking will not go over well. It will be much better for your child if he or she is able to deal with the disappointment of being denied something he or she wants before entering school. Tantrums take time away from learning not just for the child throwing the tantrum but for all of the students in the class. It also makes it much harder for your child to cope with the new environment if the child has a melt down every time he or she is told "no".

Sharing and taking turns