Donna Olson

Recently, I have been asked by several parents, “What do I need to do to prep my kid for kindergarten?” Typically, they anticipate my response to be centered around what they need to know academically, but I think there are skills more important than that. It isn’t about knowing all of their letters and sounds to be kindergarten ready. If they do, GREAT. They are ahead of the game. But the more important thing is that they learn social and independent skills that will help them be successful in the classroom. 🔺Help them learn to say their full name when someone asks them (not their nickname). 🔹Help them learn to ask for help. 🔺Help them learn how to speak to other people who are not family members. 🔹 Eat dinner together. At a table. With the tv off. ➡️ They will learn about table manners, how to stay in their seat an entire meal, develop vocabulary through conversation, and benefit from quality time. 🔺Help them learn how to compete a task and work all the way through until they complete it. 🔹Help them learn how to wait patiently. 🤪 Maybe they are waiting in line while friends go to the bathroom, or maybe someone is needing to talk to their teacher. Waiting is a hard thing for littles! 🔺 Read books every night. ➡️ Their world will be enlarged, they will develop new vocabulary, and they will benefit from quality time. 🔹 Help them learn to share. 🔺 Help them sharpen taking care of their basic needs by themselves - using the bathroom, washing their hands, blowing their nose. 🔹Tell them no. 🔺Teach them nursery rhymes. There is so much research behind this and how it supports brain development. 🔹Help them understand it is ok to make mistakes. 🔺Help them practice putting things in and taking things out of their backpack. Their teacher will thank you! 🤪 🔹Help them learn to follow two step directions. For example, “Take off your shoes and hang up your jacket.” 🔺Help them learn to sit and wait without having to be entertained. Can they sit and wait without having to be handed a device? There is so much more than academics that goes into helping a kid be “kindergarten ready”. Social and independent skills are life skills! If you aren’t practicing some of these things regularly, give yourself some grace. And if your child is older than KG age and cannot do some of these things yet, it isn’t too late! I am still working on these in my home too! We are about 5 weeks away from the start of school. The more they are able to do independently, the more successful they will be! Giving kids the opportunity to develop their emotions, compassion, and social skills is one of the greatest gifts we can give kids to prepare them for this thing called “life”. Let’s go!

March=Social Work Month! Social Workers empower people, communities, & our nation to help people achieve their full potential. We're proud to support the residents in Medfield in this mission. Thank you to all the other social workers near & far. -Kathy, Mia, & MSW to be, Teddy