How self-sufficient is your kindergartener?

[Anonymous]

As the start of school approaches, i am getting more concerned about DS. He has winter birthday, so we did not even consider redshirting. He has adequate pre-reading skills, and isn't super active. But he is also not always self-sufficient. he went to a play-based preschool part-time, but they didn't have many classroom rules and responsibilities. They had line weather helper and that sort of thing, but I don't think he was responsible for keeping track of his own backpack, lunch bag or nap blanket. He has never had to get himself from one place to another in the school. He is used to us or a teacher opening containers in his lunch box. Will tehr ebe a teacher at his lunch table to make suer he eats? How does a teacher with 25 students make sure DS is not just sitting staring at the wall, not knowing what to do?

[Anonymous]

He'll be fine. My DD just finished K. Somehow she managed to eat lunch and snack, get her backpack home and use the bathroom without help. They take good care of the little kids at most schools. I don't think they're going to throw the Kindergarteners in a room and order them to start opening their apple sauce containers alone on the first day.

[Anonymous]

He will be fine, apparently most of the issues with kindergarten are due to the parents not wanting to let go. The teacher will get him up to speed in no time at all, just back away each day and let them do their job, now for you, do what we all did, drink

[Anonymous]

Teachers are quite used to the different levels of skills and independence of kindergarteners. And, you will be amazed at how the group mentality kicks in and gets your DS with the program. The only thing I will say is that I don't think you can expect him to get help opening containers in his lunchbox, so if you are packing his lunch, you should be sure to use containers and bags that he can open.

[Anonymous]

Maybe from now until he starts school just let him try to do things on his own (with in reason, of course!) My DD is almost 3 and she has always WANTED to do everything herself - in fact, if I am too hasty and try to do whatever it is for her, she throws a fit. So now it's just normal that she does what she can herself and will ask for help if needed. School probably starts soon so if you ease him into being more independent it won't be as difficult a transition for him. And like PP said, kids start kindergarten at all different levels-some never having even gone to preschool! So teachers are more than likely prepared to deal with that.

[Anonymous]

The only thing I will say is that I don't think you can expect him to get help opening containers in his lunchbox, so if you are packing his lunch, you should be sure to use containers and bags that he can open.

At my DD's school they will help, but they have to wait. I specifically bought her containers that she can open on her own. It's worth the $10 investment in a set of new lunch containers!

And the school will have a system for backpacks and lunch bags, etc. A considerable amount of time is spent on learning these systems. He will be fine.

[Anonymous]

NP here. What about getting on the right bus by themselves. Our school only has two busses - but both numbers are over 1000 - and DS only recognizes numbers reliably to 100. Do the teachers wait and send the kids to the right busses in groups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. What about getting on the right bus by themselves. Our school only has two busses - but both numbers are over 1000 - and DS only recognizes numbers reliably to 100. Do the teachers wait and send the kids to the right busses in groups?

Our school has symbols/mascots for the bus (circle, truck, train, etc.). Of course we also have probably a dozen buses, so it might work differently.

[Anonymous]

PP, I am laughing because that was my biggest concern sending my oldest off to school for the first time (1st grade) ...not who his teacher was or his academics but only could he end up on the right bus home. Happily he met my criteria for success. In addition to the official numbers most school also use a color or animal ( some thing familiar). On teh first day they are handed a card when they get off the bus identifying the bus they came on. At the end of the day they show the driver the card to be sure they come home too. Also, kinderagrteners usually come with name tags with name, teachers name, and bus on the first day...the school sent them home ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Schools will ID busses by a name (our school uses colors) so the children don't have to remember numbers. They will make sure the kids get on. Teachers take their bus kids to the all purpose room or wherever the kids wait and make sure they get in their groups. I am sure it will be fine!

[Anonymous]

FYI, my K student wound up on the wrong bus last year on the first day of school. He made it home about an hour later; his parents were wayyyy more scarred by the experience than he was. So yes, there are systems (easy-to-remember IDs for the bus, tags for each kid, parent helpers) but they can be imperfect. And still you will survive (at our bus stop of 5 kids, one or another would forget to get off the bus in time at least once a month.)

On the other stuff, ours was very much NOT self-sufficient when he started and he managed just fine. But it is part of the reason why new K students are almost universally exhausted and on the verge of meltdowns for the first few weeks - absorbing all the new rules and responsibilities can be a lot to handle. FWIW, our school has parent volunteers at every lunch who help out with opening tricky packages.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, Op. It just occurred to me today that my k son can't do a buckle on his pants (which he'll have to wear for his uniform). We had a little lesson about how to buckle and unbuckle. Anticipate what you can and try to prepare him but remember that teachers are there to help. I doubt they would leave a kid unable to open his lunch or sit in a corner. They understand. I'm getting ready to pour that drink (or two) come September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The only thing I will say is that I don't think you can expect him to get help opening containers in his lunchbox, so if you are packing his lunch, you should be sure to use containers and bags that he can open.

At my DD's school they will help, but they have to wait. I specifically bought her containers that she can open on her own. It's worth the $10 investment in a set of new lunch containers!

And the school will have a system for backpacks and lunch bags, etc. A considerable amount of time is spent on learning these systems. He will be fine.

PP, what containers did you buy?

[Anonymous]

PP again...do kids still use lunch boxes and brown bags (like the old days)? Or does everyone use the little cold packs?

[Anonymous]

PP, what containers did you buy?

I use the Ziploc small squares for sandwiches: http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/ContainersSmartSnapSeal.aspx

I use these for liquid-y things (hummos, dips, etc.) and round crackers: http://fresh.amazon.com/product?asin=B000WGBMMM&sim=detail

I use these in the 200 mL size things like apple slices, chesse slickes, square crackers, pita triangles: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodStorage/leftoversPlastic?productId=10021671

I use these for milk or water: http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-31170-Litterless-Juice-Box/dp/B002NXTU2G/ref=pd_sim_k_4

I have many years experience making daily lunch for 2 kids and so I just kind of know what works at this point. The Klip-Its are nice because the tabs on the sides make them easy for kids to open.