Kindergarten Prep – A Kindergarten Survival Guide for Moms

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kleenex Facial Tissue. As always, we only work with brands we use and love!

The first day of kindergarten is an important milestone for kids and their parents. And kindergarten prep can feel daunting.

With our oldest getting ready to hit this kindergarten milestone in the fall, I want to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be. So, I’ve been talking to experienced parents and teachers and have gathered some useful kindergarten prep tips.

Many of the tips are actually more about helping ME survive the kindergarten transition. So, I was pretty excited when Kleenex® Facial Tissue asked me to put together a Kindergarten Prep Survival Guide for Moms.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #1 – MAKE A KINDERGARTEN PREP LIST

A kindergarten prep list is more than just a school supply list. It’s a list of everything you need to do before the first day of school.

Want to take cute first-day-of-kindergarten photos with a sign? Add making or buying a sign to your list.

Need to get your kiddo one last immunization before they can start school? Put that on the kindergarten prep list!

Once you have EVERYTHING you need to do written down, you can break the list up by date to make it less daunting. You’ll want to do your school supply shopping when the sales start, before things run out. However, prepping breakfast and a sack lunch for the first day can wait until the night before.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #2 – DON’T FORGET THE TISSUES

Every school supply list I’ve ever seen includes at least a couple boxes of Kleenex® Facial Tissue (and yes, ours specifically says Kleenex only!) They’re important for more than runny noses in the classroom.

We bought the big 10 pack of Kleenex Facial Tissue from Costco. The Costco boxes have even more tissues per box than the best-selling single boxes in other stores, so it’s a great value. Not only does that mean plenty of tissues for the classroom and our home, but there are also bonus Box Tops!

Each Costco bundle has 15 Bonus Box Tops for Education right on the back, so it’s easy to clip them.

Drop those off and you’ll be a first day of school classroom hero!

The tissues will also be handy for any of you feeling emotional about sending your kiddo off to kindergarten. No shame in that, I’m with you!

And for those of you who love a deal, the Costco bundle is $4 off from 8/9/18 to 9/2/18. So, grab your Costco card and enjoy a family date complete with free samples!

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #3 – DON’T PUT YOUR EMOTIONS ON YOUR KIDS

Whether you are a pregnant ball of hormonal emotions like I am, or are cheerfully counting down the days, it’s important to keep some emotions in check around your kids.

Try to talk to your kids about the positives of kindergarten, and about what they can expect. If your school website has a photo of their teacher, you could print that off to help them know their name and how to recognize them.

Try not to say things like “I’ll miss you,” “Don’t cry,” or “I can’t wait until the house is quiet while you’re at school!”

Kindergarteners have BIG emotions. Give them reassurance about those feelings by asking questions.

You can also buy or borrow books about kindergarten to read together and help prepare you both.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #4 – PRACTICE THE FIRST DAY

It’s a great idea to practice the first day of school. Several moms and teachers recommend doing a run-through the morning before school starts. Practice getting up at the right time, eating and dressing, gathering what they will bring, and going through the drop-off routine.

Then go somewhere to celebrate, like a favorite park or out for ice cream or donuts.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #5 – GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME THE FIRST DAY

You’ll need time for first day of school photos, especially if you want to take them at the school. Planning ahead will help picture time be enjoyable and not stressful.

There may also be last minute nerves or emotions, so having some extra time will help.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #6 – BE INVOLVED

Several teachers told me to make sure to go to every orientation, teacher conference, screening, and info night that is available. If they don’t tell you whether your soon-to-be-kindergartner should join you, ASK!

Taking advantage of these opportunities helps you and your child get to know staff and the school grounds before school even starts.

If you have the availability, ask the teacher how you can help or be involved. Do they need classroom volunteers? Special skills like art, music, or cooking?

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #7 – DON’T OVERSTAY

This goes a bit with tip #3, but know when you should leave. Every single teacher I talked to said to say your “I love you” and “Goodbye” and “Have a great day!” lines, then turn around and don’t look back.

Extending the goodbye time is hard on the kids. It’s also hard on the teachers. They are used to tears and know how to handle them. But a quick goodbye can also help prevent tears.

One mom told me that she kept talking with her daughter after dropping her off until the teacher finally handed her a chocolate for the road and said, “It’s time to go mom.”

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #8 – BE PREPARED FOR LESS COMMUNICATION FROM TEACHERS

Preschool had shorter school days, and a lot of communication about what happens in the classroom. I got to watch videos on Facebook of my son’s class singing, playing, and doing projects.

But with kindergarten they’re gone most of the day, and I have no idea how it’s going.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #9 – I LOVE YOU NOTES

Since you will be seeing less of your child, you can let them know you’re thinking of them with notes in their lunch box.

Cheerful notes that tell your kids you love them, what you love about them, and how proud you are of them, will brighten their day.

KINDERGARTEN PREP TIP #10 – LEARN HOW TO (GENTLY) SQUEEZE INFORMATION FROM YOUR KID

If you haven’t already, start figuring out when and how your child communicates about their day.

Some kids will immediately start telling you every detail of their day when they get home. Others need to go play or get some alone time.

My son loves to sing, so he will sing any song he learns that day. But he rarely tells me what happens at school or daycare.

I have discovered, though, that when it’s bed time, if we cuddle in his bed and I make eye contact and talk to him, he will open up. In fact, he will even sometimes give me a play-by-play as he processes everything that happened.

The last thing we do is always talk through the best and worst parts of our day at bedtime. The best part is anything exciting or that made us happy. The worst part is anything that made us sad, mad, hurt, or scared.

KINDERGARTEN PREP BONUS TIP – DON’T OVERTHINK IT

This tip came to me from a single mom, and I just love it. In the end, your child will get to school, and you’ll make it through as well. Don’t stress about details or creating the “perfect” first day.

If the idea of kindergarten prep is completely overwhelming and you aren’t a planner, don’t overthink it! Get your school supplies from the list, get your kiddo to school on the first day, and then come home and celebrate with a mimosa or something. You made it!

SHARE YOUR KINDERGARTEN PREP TIPS

If you have another kindergarten prep tip for moms, post it in the comments below. I’ll take all the tips I can get! You can also leave a comment on Pinterest after you save the pin.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kleenex Facial Tissue. As always, we only work with brands we use and love!