Prepping Your Littles for Kindergarten

In the middle of the summer season, it is so easy to think that August and the new school year feels light years away. Then, much like the summers before, August is here before you know it and now comes all the “Back to School” shopping sales, commercials, and countless emails from your child’s new teacher.

The heart of summer truly is a fantastic time to prepare for school skills that may go unnoticed until it’s time for your child to complete them on their own in class. Some independent tasks could include: shoe tying, manipulating zippers and buttons for clothing or backpacks, or manipulating items in their lunchbox (pouches, juice boxes, ziplock bags, etc.). Summer break can give you an opportunity to ensure your child is ready to perform these tasks on their own, or at least with as minimal help as possible.

Here are some quick tips you can try at home to help prep your child for the new school year:

New Morning Routines

A couple weeks before school starts, figure out what your family’s morning routine will look like in order to get to school on time. Start setting alarms and plan to wake up early to get your child’s body ready for the new weekly routine.

Dressing Skills

Practice dressing with coats, hoodies, and tying shoes at home! As an occupational therapist, I always like to practice clothing off to learn the motor movements for fasteners and shoes strings. Once the child is successful with clothes off their body, try tying shoes while wearing the shoes or zip up a rain coat while wearing it!

Lunchboxes

Practice dressing with coats, hoodies, and tying shoes at home! As an occupational therapist, I always like to practice clothing off to learn the motor movements for fasteners and shoes strings. Once the child is successful with clothes off their body, try tying shoes while wearing the shoes or zip up a rain coat while wearing it!