For many children, the leap from kindergarten to first grade is often big. There are new routines to follow and a completely new environment in school.
In fact, around 4069 students in the US were enrolled in 1st grade from the beginning of 2023 until now.
This is the stage where your child learns how to play with others and balance studies with extracurricular activities.
So if you wish to support your first-grader, here are a few effective tips!
1. Explain the changes in their routine
When your first-grader joins an elementary school, it can be overwhelming for them. This is why it’s always better if you (their parents) explain things to them beforehand.
Let your kids know that they’ll have to socialize with other kids and cooperate with them. If lunch isn’t served at the same time as it is at home or in their previous grade, tell them to wait patiently.
Moreover, bathrooms, cubbies, and coat hangers might be situated outside the building. Remind them about the changes repeatedly to ease your child in. This will help in the better the transition.
2. Encourage them to read and write
Reading and writing are essential parts of any child’s education. Being taught to read and write well right from childhood can groom them significantly when they grow up.
As a parent, it’s your job to encourage them to read storybooks and write down as much as possible. But, even if they stumble at first, don’t give up.
For example, ask them to draw the sun and then spell it out. Or ask them to fill in the blanks between sentences and then read out the entire paragraph.
3. Make math a part of their daily routine
Along with reading and writing, mathematical calculations are also essential. At home, playing around with numbers is the best way to encourage mathematics.
Show your kids how they can incorporate math into their daily lives by helping them count, add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers.
Even then, many children often face difficulties in grasping these concepts. For them, you can hire a private tutor.
Seek for the best tutor for 1st grader children specializing in teaching them fun ways.
4. Ask meaningful questions
Back in kindergarten, basic questions like “How was your day” might have been enough.
But once your kids grow up and enter first grade, you’ll have to ask them deeper questions like “Did something interesting happen today?” or “What did you learn in school?”
Remember, the first grade can be a tough transition for a lot of children, and your little one might not open up to you at first.
So be gentle and sensitive to their answers. If they seem anxious, tell them you’re there for them.
5. Communicate with the teachers
If possible, take out some time every month or so to connect with your child’s first-grade teacher. You can start the introduction by sending the teacher a brief note about yourself and write down any concerns you might have.
Moreover, you can even share any special needs or requests your child might have, as long as they’re reasonable.
Get in touch with the school teachers to stay updated about your kid’s performance in school and learn about their strengths or weaknesses.
6. Be honest with the teachers
No, you don’t need to pen down a detailed account of every single event that has been happening in your child’s life but giving them a brief overview is important.
Make sure to include all sorts of major milestones, both positive and negative, such as the birth of a sibling or the ongoing divorce proceedings of the child’s parents.
This is because children often carry the baggage of their personal lives into school. And if you can be honest with the teacher, it ensures your child is brought up in a healthy environment.
7. Prioritize meals and sleep
Starting first grade is a pretty exciting prospect that can keep them up and talk about their day for long hours. But you must also ensure your kids are properly fed and well-rested before you send them off.
Make it a point to switch off all electronic devices an hour before they go to bed and feed them nutritious meals for breakfast.
Even if it becomes a little difficult for you to whip up a grand breakfast, ensure their meals are full of essential nutrients and fill their stomachs for at least a couple of hours.
Over to you…
It’s not easy to raise a young one. Rather, it can be hard to keep up as they move from kindergarten to first grade within a blink.
The journey is chaotic, but if you do things the right way, this phase of your child’s life will give you both memories for a lifetime!
