Summer Activities and Getting Ready for School

boy playing hopscotch with four other children waiting in line to play too

Summer Activities and Getting Ready for School

Summer is a wonderful time for children to play, explore, and make lasting memories. It is also a great opportunity to help children prepare for the transition to kindergarten. Simple, everyday experiences can build confidence, create excitement, and help children feel ready for this important milestone.

Make Time for Summer Play

Summer is also a time to enjoy outdoor adventures and explore the community. Parks, splash pads, trails, libraries, festivals, and local attractions all provide opportunities for children to learn through play while building physical, social, and problem-solving skills.

Choosing activities that match the child’s interests helps keep them engaged and creates meaningful family memories before the busy school year begins.

Visit the School and Read Together

A visit to the school playground is a simple way to help children become familiar with their new environment. Exploring the playground, walking around the school, and talking about what school might be like can help reduce uncertainty and build confidence before the first day.

Reading books about starting school is another great way to prepare. Stories create opportunities to talk about what happens at school, answer questions, and explore feelings about this new experience. Follow the child’s lead. If they are excited to talk about school, join the conversation. If they seem hesitant, provide reassurance without putting pressure on them.

Keep a Positive Outlook

Starting school can bring many different emotions. Children may feel excited, nervous, curious, or even unsure. Let children know that all feelings are okay while offering comfort and reassurance.

Children often look to caring adults to understand how to feel about new experiences. Speaking positively about school and showing confidence in the educators and school community helps children feel more secure about the transition.

Learn About Kindergarten Together

Learning about the kindergarten program can help families know what to expect. Kindergarten focuses on learning through play, building relationships, developing independence, and encouraging curiosity.

Knowing how the program works can help adults support children throughout their first school year and celebrate the many skills they will develop along the way.

Build Helpful Routines

The weeks before school starts are a great time to begin practising school routines. Waking up, eating meals, and going to bed at consistent times can make the transition to school smoother.

Children also benefit from practising everyday routines that will be part of their school day. Encourage them to wear their backpack, open their lunch containers, and put on their own shoes whenever possible. These small opportunities help build independence and confidence.

Prepare for the First Day

A little preparation can help the first day feel less overwhelming.

Pack indoor shoes, a nutritious lunch, a water bottle, and extra clothes, making sure everything is clearly labelled. If the child would benefit from additional comfort, consider sending a family photo or small comfort item if permitted by the school.

Sharing information with the educator and teacher can also help create a successful start. Let them know about the child’s interests, strengths, routines, or anything that helps them feel comfortable. Since drop-off and pick-up times are often busy, consider arranging a phone call, meeting, or sending an email if you have more information to share.

Most importantly, begin the day with a healthy breakfast, apply sunscreen if needed, and offer a calm, confident goodbye. Let the child know who will be picking them up and reassure them that you will see them at the end of the school day.

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