Dear parents of incoming kindergartners: As an experienced educator, I’d like to give you a glimpse into what your little ones will be experiencing at school so you know what to expect.
- Your child may stroll into the bathroom and leave the door ajar while taking care of business. Don’t be surprised if they burst into song during this time!
- For the first few months, your child might engage in some enthusiastic nose-picking in front of their classmates until they finally tire of being reminded to “Get a tissue!!” By then, they might manage to do it discreetly with a hand covering their nose. Those kids are the real pros who’ve grasped some manners.
- There’s a good chance your child will forget to use the restroom during recess, resulting in an unfortunate accident.
- You might witness your child exiting the bathroom with their pants still around their ankles—oops!
- Expect your child to mistakenly refer to their teacher as “Mom,” “Dad,” or even “Grandma.” The first two will bring a chuckle, but the last will likely send the teacher into a frenzy searching for her hand cream!
- Your little one may share some cringe-worthy stories about you or your family. Teachers will chuckle and mentally bookmark these tales for future reference, knowing their own children are probably doing the same in another classroom.
- Your child might tattle on their best friend, make a face at them, and then minutes later be playing house or building with Legos. It’s all part of the kindergarten experience!
- On the playground, your child will likely take a spill, get knocked over, scrape their knee, and then bounce right back to join the fun.
- If you have a son, prepare for some messy bathroom moments where he forgets to aim properly, potentially creating a wet disaster that could involve flying underpants!
- Ultimately, your child will find a special place in their teacher’s heart. There will be cheering, laughter, and perhaps a tear or two when they read their first word, write their first sentence, or make their first friend. These moments are truly what make teaching worthwhile.
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In summary, kindergarten is a time of chaotic yet heartwarming moments that you can expect from your little one. Embrace the journey, as it is filled with laughter and learning!