For teachers, the opportunity to make a new kindergarten student feel at home can start in the summer. Teachers can obtain class lists in August and send a welcome message to each student through the mail. A simple postcard that introduces the teacher and welcomes the child will help reduce the jitters and make him feel like he’s going to a comforting place.
Different teachers and schools will have different ideas on how they want to have their kindergarten class set up, but making it as visually inviting as possible is a good start. Use a range of bright colors that would make a child feel welcomed, and create individual cubbies for the kids to put their things in so they have an area that is just for them. Establish a routine on the first day and stick to it each day, so the kids know what to expect at certain times and can feel a small element of control. Also, a teacher should take the time to learn all of their names as soon as possible and speak their names often to help establish a sense of belonging.
For parents, starting what will be the everyday school routine early will get the child in the habit and cause less anxiety when school starts. Have the child go to bed at around the same time she will for school and wake up at around the same time, starting about one month before school starts. Drive past the school regularly in the few weeks leading up to the big day, and let the child go in to explore a little if there is an open house at any time.
One thing that parents often do that doesn’t help their children feel at home when they start kindergarten is to show emotions in front of the child and talk about it in a negative light. Spending the summer talking about how lonely it will be or how sad it is that he is starting school isn’t going to make the child happy to go. Having an emotional meltdown when you first drop the child off will only add to the anxiety. Try to control your emotions until your child is safely in school, then you can let it out. Involve him in the process of choosing a backpack and other school supplies to make the transition a happy event.