Preparing Your Child Socially-Emotionally for Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a big step! The social circle is expanding rapidly beyond caregivers, and the child is becoming more aware of self and others. The task for the kindergartener is to initiate positive peer interactions.
Stages of Early Development
Ages 0-1- (trust) During the first year of life parents consistently meet the infant's needs to build a secure attachment and to instill a trust.
Ages 1-3- (autonomy) During the second two years of life children are learning to do things on their own, which gives them a sense of independence.
Ages 3-6- (initiative) During the pre-K and Kindergarten years the child is discovering their own interests, learning new skills, asking more questions, and seeking help. Peers are becoming much more important!!
As children develop from utter dependence in infancy to independence in adulthood, it's our job as caregivers to guide them in a safe, trusting, and encouraging environment. Peers become more and more important as children develop, and during Kindergarten it's important that children start initiating friendships and their own interests.
Ways to Increase Children's Social-Emotional Competence for Kindergarten:
Familiarize your child with Kindergarten before it starts:
- play at the school playground during the summer
- find out who's in the class and arrange play dates during the summer
- make friends with the parents of your child's classmates
Engage in cooperative efforts with your child:
- invite classmates and their parents over during the summer
- plan activities together with your child
- respond to your child's initiative in positive ways
Talk to your children about their feelings: help them name feelings, understand and express them; this affects how children view themselves and others
Expect regressive behavior before Kindergarten starts: children may rely on previously acquired self-comforting behaviors to help manage any fears
- shyness
- thumb sucking, needing a blanket
- clingy behavior
As school and new classmates become more familiar, self-comforting behaviors will occur less frequently. It's up to the child when to get rid of the comforting object or behavior.
By the end of the pre-school the child's social world has expanded. The child's self-esteem becomes more dependent on social-emotional competence, so it's very important that the pre-kindergartner has many experiences that foster initiative, and positive peer interactions.