Last summer, just before Emily started junior kindergarten at one of Toronto’s public schools, I was extremely nervous. She still seemed so young to me, and I kept wondering whether she was really ready for such a big change. If you are feeling the same way, I understand it completely. Getting ready for kindergarten can feel overwhelming, but a little preparation makes the transition much easier.
I was especially worried about the move from a small daycare center to a much bigger school. At daycare, Emily had been in a smaller class with three very supportive teachers and lots of attention. Kindergarten felt different: a larger class, more rules to follow, and much more independence expected from children who still seemed so little.
After about two weeks, though, my child was happy at school. She was excited about her new friends, proud of the things she was learning, and much more comfortable with the daily routine. That experience taught me that children can adjust quickly when we help them practice the right skills ahead of time.
In this post, I want to help you prepare your child for junior kindergarten. I put together the practical routines I taught my child, the items I found helpful to buy, and the simple things we practiced at home to make the first weeks of school feel smoother.
How I Prepared My Child for Kindergarten
Before the first day of school, I focused on four essential routines. These are the everyday skills that helped my child feel more confident and helped her manage the school day with less stress.
#1 Getting dressed without help
I taught my child how to get dressed without help. That included putting on and taking off her jacket, changing her shoes, and changing clothes if she had a toilet accident.
Tip: I recommend sending your child to school in comfortable clothes. If possible, avoid buttons or tricky pieces that your child cannot manage independently.
#2 Being toilet trained
Children should be able to use the toilet independently, wipe themselves, and wash their hands. Accidents can still happen once or twice, especially during a big transition, but they should not be happening regularly. It is also important to know that teachers are not allowed to help children while they are using the toilet.
Tip: Most four-year-olds do not clean themselves perfectly. I tried not to worry too much about that part and simply planned for a little extra laundry.
#3 Eating without help
I made sure my child could eat without assistance. That meant opening and closing containers, wiping her face, knowing which food was lunch, and understanding which items were snacks.
Tip: During the summer, I did a few practice runs with the lunch bag and lunch box. I served lunch or dinner in the school containers so my child could practice opening, closing, and packing them.
#4 Nap weaning
In Ontario, the school day usually starts around 8:15 am and ends around 3:15 pm. That means children no longer have naps the way they often do at daycare. It is a big change, but many kids adjust faster than we expect.
Tip: You can ask daycare staff not to put your child down for a nap during the last few weeks of summer, although some children will still fall asleep once the room is dark and quiet. During the first few weeks of school, I also started our evening routine about one hour earlier so my child could get enough sleep and be ready for the next day.
What Kindergarten Students Need for School
You usually do not need to buy school supplies for kindergarten, but there are a few practical items your child should have before the first day.
This section contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
#1 Kindergarten backpack
I look for a backpack that is small enough for my child to carry comfortably but large enough to hold everything she needs. My kids bring a lunch bag, indoor shoes, a water bottle, and sometimes arts and crafts back home. Once a week, they also bring a library book.
A good kindergarten backpack should fit the lunch bag easily and still have space for extra items without becoming too heavy.
#2 Lunch bag for kindergarten
I choose a lunch bag that is big enough for one lunch and two snacks. Most kindergarten students use a soft lunch bag, and I prefer one that is easy to clean and does not add extra weight.
Before buying one, I always make sure the backpack is large enough to hold the lunch bag comfortably.
#3 Lunch containers for kindergarten
As I mentioned earlier, your child should be able to open and close lunch containers alone. Many children in kindergarten use Sistema containers because they are easy to open and close while still being leakproof.
For a hot lunch, we use a Thermos container. I heat the food in the morning, and it is still warm by lunchtime. I also make sure to pack reusable plastic cutlery.
#4 Water bottle for kindergarten
I recommend an insulated water bottle so the water stays at a comfortable temperature during cold winter days and hot summer days.
Most importantly, make sure the bottle does not leak. Otherwise, your child’s backpack and belongings can get wet. We use a Thermos bottle because it is easy to open and leak-free. You can also buy an extra pair of straws when needed, which helps the bottle last much longer.
#5 Kindergarten name labels
At school, I label everything. If an item does not have a name on it, there is a good chance it may not come back home. Many children have the exact same shoes, water bottles, lunch bags, and jackets. My daughter’s Paw Patrol shoes were also worn by three other girls in her class in the same colour and size, so labels were the only way she could identify her own pair.
Here are the items I label for kindergarten:
- Backpack
- All clothing: shirts, pants, hat, and jacket
- Winter clothes: snow pants, winter jacket, mittens or gloves, hat, and neck warmer
- Shoes: indoor shoes, outdoor shoes, winter boots, and rain boots
- Water bottle
- Lunch bag
- Lunch containers
- Fork and spoon
- Umbrella
- Any other item I send to school and want to see again
Labels should be able to go through the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. For that reason, I use waterproof labels. I have been very happy with my Mable’s Labels tags. After one year of use, all the labels were still in place.
You can order a pack of school labels with your child’s name and a personal design. The Mable’s Labels Ultimate Back-to-School Combo includes 126 labels and 2 tags, which can last until the end of the school year.
#6 Extra indoor running shoes
Kids need indoor running shoes all year round. In summer, they also need outdoor running shoes, and in winter, they need boots for outdoor play.
I always make sure my child can put on her shoes by herself. Hook-and-loop straps are much easier for kindergarten kids than shoelaces.
#7 Extra clothing
On the first day, I send extra clothes in a Ziploc bag. I include one shirt, one pair of pants, socks, and underwear.
I write my child’s name on the bag and make sure every item inside is labelled too.
How I Help My Child Do Well in Kindergarten
There are also simple things I practice at home to help my child feel ready for kindergarten and more confident in the classroom.
- I read to my child every day and let her hold the book and turn the pages.
- I practice using crayons, scissors, and glue.
- I help my child recognize her written name.
- I practice one-step and two-step directions.
- I help my child practice holding a pencil.
- I practice opening and closing lunch boxes and containers.
- I practice toilet routines, including using the toilet, wiping, and washing hands.
That is my practical guide to getting ready for kindergarten. If you have questions, I would love for you to leave a comment below. You can also share any tips that helped your child feel ready for kindergarten.
If you like this post and would like to read more content like this, please subscribe to my mailing list.
Inspired by this post on Toronto New Mom Blog.
