Lesson Tag: school transition

Transitioning to kindergarten is an important life event. It can be both a scary and exciting time for you and your child. You may be wondering: Is my child ready? Am I ready?  

It helps to remember that children are unique. Each child starts kindergarten with a wide range of skills.  Many parents are concerned about academic skills and we may forget about the particularly important emotional skills that help your child succeed.

Uncertainty about school plans can be extra hard on children with special needs who thrive on consistency and routine. Uncertain times in the outside world makes at-home routines, communication, boundaries, and connection even more important.  

In this class you will learn what you can do to create a safe, supportive home environment to give your child the calm center they need to navigate an uncertain world. You will also learn important tips on how to communicate with your child's school team to make sure your child is getting the support they need to learn and feel safe and happy. 

Class participants will be able to: 

• Identify practical approaches to be a calm center for your child even if they are struggling  
• Recognize what you can and cannot control in your child’s world 
• Develop the ability to match your expectations to your child’s capacities and your family’s circumstances 
• Define “achievable and sustainable” goals and work with your child to create a learning plan together 
• Identify and apply strategies to help your child stay on track and ways to celebrate progress 
• Apply strategies to partner effectively with your child’s teacher and support services staff ● Recognize the importance of building a support network 

Parents can take steps to ease their school age children—and themselves—back into the school year with a positive attitude. Help your family develop effective routines, positive connections, and healthy stress-coping skills. Learn strategies to help the whole family approach online or in-person learning at school with excitement rather than worry. 

After this class, you will be able to: 

• Apply strategies to manage your stress around the start of the school year as a parent and teach these strategies to your children 
• Motivate your children to develop healthy habits that support positive mental health and well-being, as well as academic learning 
• Develop playful routines that will support a positive transition  
• Create connections with teachers and administrators at your child's school to strengthen their sense of belonging 

Transitioning to kindergarten is an important life event. It can be both a scary and exciting time for you and your child. You may be wondering: Is my child ready? Am I ready? 

It helps to remember that children are unique. Each child starts kindergarten with a wide range of skills.  Many parents are concerned about academic skills and we may forget about the particularly important emotional skills that help your child succeed.

The time has come for your precious “baby” to start day care, and you may be feeling a range of emotions. There are steps that you can take to help your family make a smooth, positive transition into this next chapter of your life. After you take this class, you will be able to:  

• Acknowledge and cope with any emotions you are having 

• Take concrete steps as you prepare the big day

• Establish positive routines for home and school