Starting Kindergarten - Denton,TX

You've gotten great advice so far, all I can add is maybe offer to cook him his favorite meal for dinner that night so he'll have something positive to look forward to after he gets out of school.

Make the drop off as quick as possible. Don't linger. Smile, hugs, "Have a great day" and then leave. It will make it easier for both of you. Talk about it in a positive way this week, off and on. Our twins are starting kinder on Monday. I am nervous and excited for them.

If you can remember anything about your kindergarten experience, share those stories with him. My daughter loved hearing about what I did in kindergarten. It was a nice way to end of nights just before school started, just chatting about kindergarten.

I am a firm believer in kids react as their parents react, so the more you hold it together & are positive about it, the more confidence he will have.

And, crying is allowed when you are five. I let each of my kids cry, but then I teach them how to gain back composure.

He will have a fabulous year!!

deep breath mama! All kids survive kindergarten. Now push through your anxiety - you have nothing to be fearful of. If he gets anxious you KNOW he'll be fine ultimately. The problem is he doesn't know that. You need to make sure he learns that over the next few days.

1 - make sure he knows you'll always come back for him (or who ever will do the pick-up). Remind him that at the end of the school day you will be waiting for him and you will be so excited dto hear all about the things that happened!

2 - Make sure he knows that you expect he'll have a good time. Say things like "I know that you will meet new friends and see so many cool things. I know that you're going to like to color and listen to the teacher read books and tell you all about letters and numbers. I am so excited for this big boy thing that you're doing!"

3 - If you ahve neighbors or friends who are a year or 2 older than your son he probably thinks they're pretty cool - so tell him about their first day or kindergarten, how they were a little nervous, and how it ended up being kind of fun - and it got to be better every day. Tell him about your first day of school. Tell him that you were "a little" nervous the day before and asked yoru mom if it was going to be OK. Tell him that your tummy felt kind of funny, and that you wondered if anyone was going to like you, etc. And then reassure him that you learned taht all the other kids were a little nervous too and that you learned the names of a couple of kids, and before you knew it - you had friends. Remind him that all the other kids are new to this too and you'll all wonder about who to play with on the playground, etc - but that it all works out.

YOu'll both do fine - it's such a fun time for them - and you! Enjoy it mama - and take lots of pictures!!!

Put on your happiest most excited face when talking to him about Kindergarten. Spend lots of time meeting the teacher and point out all the wonderful, positive, happy things. Is there something in the classroom that gets him excited? Talk about how fun it will be to get to play with that! Talk a lot to the teacher with him and afterwards go on and on about how he has the best, nicest teacher ever (or whatever you notice about the teacher). If you can, invite over a new friend you meet when you go to the classroom to meet the teacher. Have a quick playdate before school starts and then talk about how fun it will be to see his new friend. Yes, he may cry when you drop him off. I stayed a little while with my son his first day (the teacher encouraged us to stay till a certain time) and then left quickly. If he cries, just be positive and leave as quick as you can. His teacher will comfort him and will distract him. Kindergarten teachers are usually great at first time jitters! Good luck mama!

Stay low-key about it. If he brings it up, talk about it. If he doesn't, then try to avoid asking him "Are you excited? Are you nervous?" etc. If he isn't already nervous about it, then try not to imply that he should be!

Just make sure that the first days go as smoothly as possible and you'll both be great.

Dial it down if he doesn't handle change well. Don't build it up to be bigger than life. Just give him oppportunities to talk about it. Calmly, reassuringly, ask him how he feels about it and what he thinks is going to happen when he gets there. Tell him step by step what's going to happen. You will put your backpack on a hook and remove your shoes...then you will sit on the carpet for circle time, etc. It also helps to do a dry run. Go to his school now while it's mostly teachers and ask if you can show him the cafeteria and his classroom. It will be quieter and not so much sensory overload as next week will be. He will feed off of you, so, if you are calm it will help.

It's OK if he cries! K teachers deal with that all the time.
I was a nervous wreck when my son started K, but the most important thing is for you to remain positive and upbeat! NEVER let him see that you are sad or worried.
You can go home and fall apart after he's at school or on the bus, but not til then!
He'll be OK. I promise. :)

spend as much time as possible in the classroom when you go for meet the teacher night so he can get comfortable there. Look at everything and talk about how cool the room is. Also, try to introduce him to some of the other students so he won't feel that he doesn't know anyone. Finally, get the book The Kissing Hand and read it to him and then kiss his hand when you send him off to the classroom. It really helps! Remember, all the other little ones are in the same boat - he will be fine.

what school in denton is he starting at? we'll be at nelson, my little boy is starting k as well and is very excited - if they'll be at the same school, i'd be more than happy to try to get together for a playdate this week or weekend :)