How To Succeed in Kindergarten Without Really Trying

Many of our preschool parents are shopping for Kindergartens this spring. In Anchorage, we have the closest thing to school choice available, with lots of alternative elementary schools for parents to choose from.

We have anything from language immersion or optional to Waldorf / Montessori focused programs. You can also go to the neighborhood school in your zone. A lot of parents choose to enter the lottery system and get their child into a more specialized curriculum. Does this all sound confusing? Well, the Anchorage School District Web site has the details: www.asdk12.ak.us.

What's difficult about making the transition to Kindergarten (besides the fact that your kid is growing up) is that you realize they will be thrown into a new environment with new rules and huge crowds at lunch time. Rest assured that the transition is usually much more difficult for the parents. Add to that the pressure of actually choosing the school your child will spend the next six to seven years.

There are some tips to selecting the best school for your child, and they're similar to the way you would pick a preschool.

• Go there. There's no substitute for visiting the school first.
• See the environment and imagine your child there. Is the room small or unfriendly to children? Are there age-appropriate toys and interesting art on the wall?
• Talk to the principal. Find out if their school has multiple programs (some schools have an alternative wing and a "neighborhood" program in the same building.
• Ask about enrichment opportunities: Most elementary students get one hour of art twice a month and music once a week or less.
• Talk to other parents. This can usually be done at the introductory meeting or group tours.
• Enter as many lotteries and waiting lists as you can. You may not get your first choice, so have a backup plan.

We would also caution you to realize that Kindergarten will not be the same as preschool. Namely:

• There is not as much individual attention. Teachers in grade school will not be available during the day to talk about concerns or get updates on your child
• There will be new kids to meet and new ways to learn
• There is less time for lunch; some kids eat lunch in their snow pants so they can get outside after 20 minutes allotted eating time
• There is more structure and a lot more moving around
• They get a lot more independence and meet new people and learn more about the world

A lot of parents want to know if preschool is preparing their child for Kindergarten. Many people think this means memorizing the alphabet and numbers, and knowing shapes and colors. We do this in our school, but our main focus is cultivating a LOVE of learning and capitalizing on the natural curiosity of children.

We asked a few Kindergarten teachers what they want your kid to be able to do by the first day of school: Dress themselves, recognize their name, walk into and out of the building on their own, carry their own belongings, and follow simple directions. They don't have to know the entire alphabet or numbers or how to classify the periodic table of elements. What preschools give your child most are social skills, so that when they are learning more complex things, they don't also have to learn basic manners and getting along with others.

Finally, don't be pressured into having a child tested to enter Kindergarten early. Most kids who do this have trouble mid-year and really struggle by 1st grade. It's much more important that a child have a positive experience in school, not an overly academic one. If a child is truly gifted, there are ways to enrich your child until they are tested for a specialized program.

Mainly, we want them to like to come to school and love learning. The rest is gravy.

Miss Tara and Miss Leah