Summer Kindergarten Readiness Ideas

[HLAuburn]

DD is starting Kindergarten in the Fall, and I am looking for some ideas for things we can do over the Summer to get her ready. We are moving to Florida in July and the schools there start later than here, so she will have a long break and I'd like it not to go to waste.

Does anyone know any programs we could follow or good websites or ideas of activities we can do? I do best with structure, so I'd love to find step by step program of some type I could follow, but I don't even know if something like that exists.

Any ideas/suggestions would be great! Thanks!

 

[trip]

My Grandkids like starfall.com

 

[Bren's Mom]

The first link has a checklist to give you an idea of the things that kids should know to be ready for K.

http://school.familyeducation.com/kindergarten/school-readiness/38491.html

However, you don't need to do a formal, structured program with your dd. It's fine to have a structured day, to have a schedule, also allow for learning to happen naturally. The site below gives you great ideas on how to do this.

http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/lillian_jones_ps_kdgtn.html

My ds is in a formal preschool program, all day, and will be starting K in the fall. He's doing just fine, ahead of the game in many ways, and some of that is due to finding teachable moments. Time to empty the dishwasher? Ask him to sort, something that he needs to know for k. Sort the silverware, identify it, talk about their uses. Stack and count the plates, how many people in the family? How many MORE people can come to dinner and have a plate? That sort of thing. Once you get into the mindset, everything they do is about learning...but not in a 'sit behind a desk' way that is hard for preschool age kiddos.

 

[lillygator]

has she been in any type of preschool?

 

[HLAuburn]

Thanks for the ideas! I'll check out those websites.

has she been in any type of preschool?

Yes, she has been in preschool for 3 years. She'll actually be 6 when she starts in the Fall, so I know she's ready, I just want to keep her "sharp" over the Summer and prepare her for being in a "real school" Kindergarten setting.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Oh she'll be fine in September!

But I think I understand now what you're asking.

The # 1 thing is reading, reading, reading. Read to her, get her a library card, participate in the Barnes & Noble and/or Borders reading program, encourage her reading by asking her to spell out words, let her 'read' to you whenever she wants to (even if she's just making it up as she goes along, that's part of the process).

And also work on life skills. Think about everything she'll do during her school day. Do you let her go into stalls alone in restrooms when you're out? If not, start doing it. Let her be independent about as many things as possible. Take some lunch trips to cafeteria style places, if her school has hot lunch. Let her carry her own tray, choose her food, open her own milk carton, etc. Just like she'll have to in K. If she interrupts alot, start working on raising her hand and waiting to be called on. Things like that will help her feel super confident when she starts school.

 

[mom0299]

I'll second the vote for starfall.com. We use it at school all the time. And as a PP said, READ!!! Also, let her practice cutting with scissors, buttoning her shirt, zipping a zipper, and that kind of thing. Being successful in school depends a lot on parent involvement so it sounds like she is going to do great! Keep up the good work.