Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten at PCNS

Kindergarten seems like a distant milestone when your child first enters preschool, but before you know it, your little one is ready to take that significant step. At PCNS, we understand the importance of preparing children for this transition, and we take pride in ensuring our students are well-equipped for kindergarten. Here’s how we get your child ready:

1. Show Compassion and Empathy for Others

One of the cornerstones of our program is teaching children to care for themselves and each other. We create an environment where kindness and understanding are emphasized. Through group activities, role-playing, and daily interactions, children learn to recognize and respond to the feelings of others, fostering a sense of community and empathy.

2. Follow a Story and Make Predictions

Developing literacy skills is crucial to a child’s academic success. During storytime, we engage them in stories and prompt them to follow the plot and make predictions about what might happen next. This not only enhances their listening and reading comprehension but also sparks their imagination and critical thinking skills.

3. Advocate for Themselves

Before a child can advocate for others, they need to know how to stand up for themselves. We ensure our students always feel like they have a voice and are seen. Through activities that promote self-expression and confidence, children learn to communicate their needs and preferences, building a foundation for self-advocacy.  Sometimes learning from a scuffle or disagreement with a friend is the best way to learn empathy for themselves and others. Children learn to talk things through with their friends.

4. Be Responsible for Their Own School Items

Responsibility is a vital skill for kindergarten readiness. We teach children to take care of their belongings, like backpacks and lunch boxes, through routines and gentle reminders. This practice instills a sense of accountability and improves self confidence.

5. Make a Friend

Starting a new school can be overwhelming, especially when it involves leaving old friends behind. We emphasize the importance of making new friends and provide opportunities for children to build social connections. Through collaborative play and group activities, they learn to navigate social interactions and form meaningful friendships.

As the milestone of kindergarten approaches, parents should be aware of these expectations for their children and how to work with the school to best prepare them for this next step. Our goal is to ensure each child and family are well-prepared for the challenges and excitement that kindergarten brings.