How self-sufficient is your kindergartener?

[Anonymous]

Oh, and most kids at our school use some sort of soft-sided lunch bag. The LLBean and Lands End lunch boxes are popular. In K-2, the character ones are still popular, for grades 3+ less so. My rising 4th grader uses an LLBean Original Lunch Bag with a cold pack. But she used a Disney one until second grade.

[Anonymous]

It would be helpful though to start giving him more responsibility for himself at home. Let him open his own packages, put on and fasten his shoes, point him to hang up his own things, etc. Yes, the teachers/aides will help but it can be frustrating for a kid who is used to immediate attention by parents to have to wait.

[Anonymous]

My almost K student hasn't been that self sufficient but since the beginning of July I have been slowly having her do things on her own, esp. getting dressed, and food issues. And with practice she is able to do most of the necessary school issues on her own now. So my suggestion is to start practicing now and also give some thought to the things your child will need to know from day one. Zipping a coat may not be important at the beginning but opening a bag of chips or taking the top off the water bottle and not losing/dropping it on the dirty floor is important.

The one thing I've found interesting is, my dd has been in daycare since she was one and the things she's learned there that she "doesn't know how to do at home" amazes me. Like at school she knows how to spread cream cheese on a bagel, pour her own milk but at home, she makes a mess. So now that I know, I make sure she does it correctly at home too.

[Anonymous]

On the bus issue. Two Ks got off the first time their bus stopped and ended up walking through the neighborhood while their parents panicked. I suggest you identify an older kid that will be getting off at your stop and ask them to make sure your child gets off at the right stop.