Be an Involved Kindergarten Parent
When your child starts "big school," you'll have fewer opportunities to connect with her teacher and classroom — so make the most of them.
Starting kindergarten is a huge milestone in a child's life, and it's a big event for parents too. As your little one heads off to school with the “big kids,” you may wonder what your role as the mom or dad of a new elementary schooler will be. Here's the lowdown on what to expect and how to help your child achieve school success.
How Day Care Differs
If your child attended day care or preschool, you may be used to a certain level of interaction with the caregivers. Many programs, for example, send home a detailed daily report outlining what your child ate, when he napped, and what activities he participated in. If your child attends a private kindergarten where class size tends to be smaller, you may get a letter home every day, says Anthony Coletta, Ph.D., professor of early childhood and elementary education at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. But in general, that type of daily communication is not the norm in kindergarten. Instead, anticipate:
- An invitation to meet the teacher and see the classroom before the school year starts (this is often done the previous May or June)
- A welcome letter from the teacher a few weeks before school opens
- One or two parent-teacher conferences
- Periodic newsletters sent home by the teacher or the school
In addition, you’ll want to communicate with the teacher regularly as the year goes on. What’s realistic? Chatting or e-mailing once a week or so under normal circumstances and more often — perhaps two to three times a week — if there's a problem or if your child is having trouble adjusting, says Coletta.
Getting Involved
Your involvement is a big factor in your child's school experience. "Studies all conclude that when parents are active and involved in school, student achievement goes up and the school gets better," says Coletta. Here's how you can contribute as a kindergarten parent:
Get to know the school principal. "I suggest scheduling a meeting with the principal when your child is coming into a new school," says Susan K. Walker, Ph.D., assistant professor and extension family life specialist in the department of family studies at the University of Maryland in College Park. You can find out her philosophy about learning, what opportunities exist for parental involvement, and what recommendations she gives teachers about keeping parents informed, says Walker.
Meet the teacher. Make a date with your child's teacher during the first few weeks of school. At this meeting, ask how your child is adjusting and share your goals for your child and any individual needs she may have. Another benefit of face-time early on: With a relationship established, you’ll feel comfortable speaking to the teacher about issues that arise during the year.
Attend back-to-school night. Most schools host this event about a month into the new academic year. Your child’s teacher will likely spend 15-30 minutes explaining the curriculum and her teaching philosophy, says Coletta. Other things she’ll touch on: The classroom schedules and routines as well as her discipline and homework policies.
Find out the best way to keep in touch. Some teachers are receptive to e-mails or phone calls, while others prefer to schedule in-person meetings. If your child's teacher doesn’t make her preference known early on, ask. "Remember that communication is a two-way street,”"says Coletta. Don’t always wait for the teacher to contact you; touch base with her as needed.
Volunteer in the classroom. Kindergarten classrooms are buzzing with activity and usually offer many ways for parents to participate — from being the class mom or dad to speaking about a career or hobby. Most teachers send home a letter outlining the volunteer opportunities that are available, says Walker. This way, you can pick a job that suits your talents or interests.
Join the PTA or PTO. Not all parents’ schedules allow them to help out during the school day. Don't despair — you can still make a difference by becoming a member of the PTA or PTO and participating in fundraising or decision-making committees.
Continue the learning at home. Learning doesn’t end with final bell. Do activities and projects at home that will build on the literacy and math skills your child is learning at school. Kindergarten teachers often provide materials for this. One example, says Coletta, is the calendar that some teachers create for students and parents. Each day has a question or activity ("Eat an apple and count each bite," or "Blow up a balloon. What causes it to change shape?"). Check the calendar with your child each day.
