How to Ease Kindergarten Jitters

Help Your Child with the Transition to Kindergarten

Jun 26, 2008 Elizabeth Nolan

Starting Kindergarten is a great adventure and huge milestone for both child and parent. It can, however, create a lot of anxiety, apprehension, and fear for children.

Even if your child has attended preschool or daycare, Kindergarten jitters are common. Kids worry about a lot of different things when entering an unfamiliar situation. As a parent, there are a few specific things you can do to ease their transition to elementary school.

What Parents Can Do

Stay Positive. Keeping the topic of school positive and exciting is important. Don't let your own emotions influence your child's feelings about starting school.

Be Sensitive. Validate your child's fears and reassure him or her. Point out how he or she has succeeded in new challenges in the past, and will be fine with this challenge too. Point out that you, too, have felt nervous about starting something new, such as a new job. Give specific examples when your child might have felt jitters before and how they handled it well, such as performing in a dance recital or ballgame.

Adjust Schedules Early. Don't wait until the day before school starts to give your child an earlier bedtime or wake up call. If your child knows the routine of what is expected on a school morning in advance, it definitely will make school mornings less stressful.

Stay Involved. Join the PTO or volunteer in the classroom. This keeps you up to date on what is happening within the school and also gives you a chance to meet your child's classmates. Kids do get excited to have their parents witness their new independence.

Things to Do with Your Child

Make School Prep Fun. Making the shopping trip to buy new clothes and school supplies fun can make your child feel special and excited about school.

Read Books. Reading with your child has always been a wonderful bonding experience. There are many books about starting Kindergarten that highlight some of the feelings your child may be having. Libraries and bookstores often have a shelf dedicated to these type of books over the summer months, so be sure to read a few with your child. This will also help you and your child talk about their fears.

Visit the School. Many schools offer an opportunity for the kids to visit the school and to meet the teacher before the new school year begins. Be sure to participate in these opportunities with your child, as it will give them an increased comfort level as they become familiar with the building, classroom, playground and teacher. You will also have a chance to meet other parents so you can exchange contact information and set up playdates over the summer.

View School Websites. Many teachers post a lot of information on their classroom websites such as needed supplies, photos of the classroom, school calendar, or the schedule of a typical day, as well as useful links and resources that you may want to be familiar with throughout the year.

Meet other Kindergarteners. Whether through playgroups, church groups, library storytimes, camps, or recreation department summer classes, look for venues with similar aged children attending so your child can interact with potential classmates. Having a familiar face in the classroom on the first day lessens some anxiety.

Keep in mind, every child is different as to how quickly they adapt to new situations. Keep communication open and positive with your child and be sensitive to their apprehension. Chances are by Halloween, you will have a very confident Kindergartener.

Copyright Elizabeth Nolan. Petikan diambil dari www.suite101.com

Five Little Sea Shells

Video ini cikgu ingin kongsikan bersama-sama pembaca.....ianya boleh diguna di waktu mengajar awal matematik sambil bercerita. Ianya akan membuatkan sesi matematik lebih menarik.

Video ini diambil dari Childcareland.com. Laman web ini, banyak memberi ilham kepada cikgu sendiri untuk lebih kreatif dalam pengajaran anak-anak di tadika....

Semoga perkongsian ini dapat memberi manafaat bersama.... Selamat menonton dan mencuba!

Get Prepared For Kindergarten

While summer is fully upon us, for those children who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, it’s time to start preparing. Some basic skills you need to start working on with your Pre-K child.

For those of us with older children already in school many of us are sincerely looking forward to the summer break. For those of us with pre-k children it’s time to start working on some of the basic skills kindergarteners are expected to know when they start school. While summer is supposed to be a time of more relaxation it’s a very good idea to keep the pre-k child working on these basic skills.

Most kindergarteners are expected to be able to function in a group setting. For children who have not been exposed to group settings very often entering a room full of other children can be scary. With summer approaching it’s a good time to make sure that your child gets some time with other children. Learning to share and get along with others will be a needed skill for kindergarten. Participating in-group activities such as church groups, playgroups or nursery school groups is an excellent way to get some of this exposure. Look for groups that you as parents can get involved in. Moms Help Moms is a good example of this. Many of the groups of MHM meet on a monthly basis and allow children to come along, thus giving them group exposure with other children.

It’s also a good time to make sure that your child’s cognitive and language skills are up to the expectations as well. Most five year olds can express themselves with a large variety of vocabulary. They can understand many more words in conversations than they can readily express as well. One of the best ways to build vocabulary and language skills, is to read to your children. They pick up on meanings of words and begin to recognize letters from books. A book is more powerful for building this skill than any TV program. A great idea might be to make a set time for some reading each day. I found that a nice short story before bed is a great way to help little ones settle down for the night and they learn without even knowing it.

Kindergarteners are expected to be able to hold and use a pencil, crayons and markers. They also like for kindergarteners to know how to use scissors and be able to draw some basic straight and squiggle lines. If you encourage your child to do some basic art with any of these it will help prepare them for the school year in the fall.

Now is also the time to start working on those shapes, colors and perhaps some basic letters. You don’t need any grand educational toys for this; just use the crayons and a piece of paper. They are not expected to know every color in a box of 64 crayons, just the basics. Colors like black, white, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, brown and maybe even purple and pink. They are also not expecting every geometric shape known to man either. Again, just the basics like circles, squares, triangles, rectangles and maybe a diamond. Use the crayons to draw one shape one color and so on.

For letters you can use their name to teach them different letters. Do you sing the alphabet song? No? Well it’s a good time to start. Driving down the road start up a sing a long of the alphabet song. Even if they don’t master the song but only pick up a few letters here and there that’s better than none at all.

The best way to know for sure what your child is expected to know when they start kindergarten is to call the school they will be attending and ask them if they have a reference sheet. This is a sheet that will list the different skills they would like each new kindergartner to know. I remember on one of our lists they asked that the kids know how to tie their own shoes. We worked on it all summer and by the time school started my daughter was ready.

Please don’t feel that you need to set a rigid schedule to work on these skills but just be aware of them and slip them in whenever you can. Watch their progress and be prepared to talk with their teacher if you have a concern at the beginning of the year. Remember that summer is a time for enjoyment and working on these skills can be fun.

Guest Author - Cheryl Lewis. petikan dari www.bellaonline.com

Getting Ready for School: How Parents Can Prepare their Kids for Preschool and Kindergarten

Getting Ready for School

How Parents Can Prepare their Kids for Preschool and Kindergarten

Dec 4, 2008 Wei Yin Wong

Children who have a positive start at school will be able to adapt to school life more easily.

Most children are drawn to new playmates and toys. Not surprisingly, many will find the idea of going to preschool or kindergarten appealing since both are homes to many toys and are frequently visited by little people. They probably look forward to starting school.

Still, preparing children for school is crucial to let them have some idea of what school is about. Here are some tips for mums and dads before sending their kids to preschool or kindergarten for the first time.

Visiting the School

If a child has never set foot in a preschool or kindergarten, his first visit during an information session or open day will offer a great experience. Show him around – the classroom, music room, playground, sandpit, etc – and introduce him to some of the teachers. Even a really shy child will be drawn by the set-up, play things and colors in the school. This initial visit will give him a clear picture of what he’ll be able to experience when he starts school.

Practising at Home

Going to school does require the child to be independent to a certain extent. That means he should’ve been completely toilet-trained, can open and close his lunch box, as well as wear and take off his shoes. If shoes with laces are tricky, opt for those with Velcro straps. Get the child to practise using these items.

Getting into a Routine

School life is all about following routines, a concept alien to young children. So slowly introduce routines at home as well, writes Kelly Baker in the article “Cool for School” that appears in the February/March 2008 issue of Australian Parents. For instance, at 10.30am during morning tea, state the time clearly to the child and say it’s time for morning tea. At 12.30pm, point out the time to the child and announce that it’s lunch time. At 2pm, tell him the time and say that it’s nap time. Keep doing this everyday until the child understands that certain things take place as certain times of the day.

Using Preschool Kits

Preschool kits containing games, puzzles, stories and various activities for kids as well as information for parents are available at bookshops. Consider getting one of these kits to keep the children occupied and prepare them for school.

Buying New Gear

While there is nothing wrong with using an older sibling’s old backpack or water bottle to save money, it’s always better to at least get a few new items for the child. Buy him some new clothes, a new bag, pencil case, stationery set, books, etc, if money is not a big problem. The hand-me-downs can be used as spares. With new things, the child is likely to be much more excited about going to school. Let him try wearing his new clothes and backpack with all the new gear inside and pretend that he is going to school. He’s bound to be beaming happily when doing that!

Letting the Child Make Minor Decisions

Children will need to make some decisions of their own at school. And with Mum not being around, making a decision can be a big challenge for a small kid. That’s why it’s important to practise making decisions at home. Arlene Eisenberg, co-author of What to Expect, the Toddler Years [HarperCollins, 1995], says, “Provide practice by giving your toddler choices whenever possible.”

Practising Following Multiple Instructions

At school, the teacher may give several instructions at one go. She may say, “Hang your bags up, go inside the playroom and sit on the floor.” Without practice, a child may get confused and only complete half of the tasks. So try giving the child multiple instructions at home for him to get used to them when he begins school.

Starting school is a big step for a young child. If he has a great initial experience at preschool or kindergarten, the rest of the year will be stress-free both the child and his parents. School readiness begins at home. So get him to practise many of the things he will eventually experience at school. The efforts are definitely worthwhile.

Copyright Wei Yin Wong. petikan dari suite101.com

Four Reading Methods - learning to read (Part 4)

Method 4: Context Support Method

When your students are just learning to read it is important to choose books that really interest them. If boys like cars, choose a book with pictures and simple words about cars. This will keep their interest and they will enjoy learning with you. If girls like dolls, obtain a book with doll pictures and simple words. Again it will encourage enthusiasm because they are actually looking at something they can relate to

Some books are especially written to support this method of learning. You will find a longer sentence on one side of the page while the other side has a single word or maybe two to three words for your student to read. You will read the longer sentence while your student reads the simpler version.

You may like to try this method of long and short text or maybe combine it with one or all of the other methods above. The debate still rages among educators, parents, and experts. Which approach to teaching reading works best? That is something only you can answer and it comes with practice and experience.

Most children learn to read reasonably well between the ages of four and eight. Check the following 10 point checklist, which was originally written for parents to help ascertain if students are heading in the right direction.

1. Do you read regularly with your child? (five or six days a week)

2. Do you give your child time to browse through a book before attempting to read it?

3. Do you show confidence in your child's abilities? Your lack of confidence may affect your child's ability to read.

4. Don't tell your child you are worried about his/her reading progress. This will only fuel your child's problem. Discuss with your partner or other homeschool parent for advice.

5. Does your child ever read to anyone else besides you? Try a grandma, neighbour, uncle, aunt, friend etc. It could make a big difference with your child's confidence to read.

6. Do you expect too much to soon? Don't push too hard for immediate results. It takes time!

7. Are you always rushed? Do you give your child enough time to read or write?

8. Do you provide opportunities for your child to write? Such as shopping lists, names on the top of letters to friends or relatives, the child's own name at the bottom of a letter or card you have written.

9. Are you using books at the correct level. Use easy books to encourage your child's abilities, making sure it is not too easy or you will undermine your child's confidence in him/herself. Don't choose books too hard, that also may undermine your child's confidence in him/herself.

10. If you do all the above and you are still worried, your child's hearing or eye sight may have something to do with the reading problem. Visit your doctor for a check-up because hearing or eyesight could affect his/her ability to learn.

petikan dari ~
http://teachingtreasures.com.au/homeschool/reading-methods/reading-methods.htm

10 Panduan untuk mempertingkat Ingatan Anda (Tips to Improve Your Memory)

Panduan ini cikgu ambil dari 'Newsletter' mingguan, yang cikgu langgan dr laman web http://www.everydayhealth.com . Jika selalunya, cikgu banyak berkongsi info mengenai anak-anak. Jadi kali ini cikgu nak berkongsi maklumat bersama ibubapa sekalian. walau bagaimana pun, panduan ini juga boleh di gunakan untuk semua peringkat umur! Jadi, apa lagi, teruskanlah membaca ya!

Try the ideas on this memory tip list to give yourself a brain boost.

Having trouble remembering appointments, items you need at the grocery store, or where you put your keys? Everyone has moments when something slips their mind. If this has been happening to you with increasing frequently, try doing a few easy brain exercises each day to help improve memory.

Luckily, mental workouts can be just as effective for your brain as physical workouts are for your body.

Memory Tip: 10 Ways to Improve Memory

Start with the first tip and then add one more idea each day to help improve your memory:

1. Focus on what you're trying to remember. Take time to think about what you need to remember, whether it's a list of names, chores, or items to buy. Spending a few moments actively processing your thoughts can make it easier to recall what you need to remember in the future.

2. Link your list. Try to remember several things or ideas at once by linking them together in your mind. If you want to memorize your grocery list, for instance, connect the items you need together with a specific image or action in your head. Imagine you're in your laundry room holding a container of detergent, then walk into your kitchen to get some bread and milk, then move to the bathroom to replenish the toilet paper.

3. Personalize your list. Organize lists into short, manageable sections, and try to connect items to something that's easier for you to remember. Improve memory by linking lists of numbers, for example, to personally relevant dates like your birthday or interesting historical dates.

4. Create a visual image. If you're trying to remember someone's name, visualize an object that will help remind you in the future. Think of summer for a woman named June or a cat for someone named Catherine.

5. Create an acronym. Train your brain to remember items in a specific sequence by creating a word to represent the objects. Try using the first letter of each item on your shopping list to form a word. For instance, MOST can stand for milk, oranges, soap, toilet paper.

6. Use all of your senses to help improve memory. Afraid you're going to forget your next hair appointment or dinner with a friend? Verbally list your appointments out loud and then think about the softness of your hair after a salon visit and the aroma of the food at your favorite restaurant to help solidify the dates in your mind.

7. Write it down. Even if you don't actually use your list or a note to remind you of an appointment, simply writing the information down will help your brain retain it.

8. Create a rhyme. How did you learn the alphabet or the number of days in each month when you were little? You probably learned them with the help of a song or rhyme. Try doing the same thing with names, appointments, and lists.

9. Make it manageable. Organize a long list into shorter lists that are easier to remember. Instead of trying to remember a dozen different items, create four mini-lists with only three things you need to remember from each.

10. Be positive. Don't doubt yourself — our brains can often do more than we realize. Regularly practice these tips to help improve memory, and you'll be amazed by how much more you can remember.


By Diana Rodriguez
Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

“Bacalah!” (Read!)

by BFO

My earliest memory with Abah; my late father was going to bookstores during the weekends. Kaklong, Kakngah, Tam and I would be given the chance of picking one book each, which we would devour from cover to cover. I remembered Abah sometimes sitting down and reading my books with me. It could be that very act of my father, or my own inborn affinity towards books, or a combination of both – that I remain a bookworm until this very day. My three sisters are booklovers too, more so than our younger siblings; the fifth, sixth and seventh kids.

One could argue that they - Pip, An and Inah (my three youngest siblings) do not have the same relationships with books like us the elders because they were born in the era of technology where computers and walkmans had just started to rule the day. Then the handphones and iPods came along and became perpetual appendages to the kids’ ears and hands. Technological invasion aside, I would also point out that Abah was much busier too by then. He could not afford the time (not money) to take them to bookstores like he did with us, let alone sit and read with them.

I always encouraged the parents that I have worked with to read to, and with, their children. Some of them have already done so, and some were amenable to the idea and would try it out, while others would say –
“… mana saya nak cari masa Cik B?”
(“where do I find the time (for it) Miss B?”)

“… saya sendiri tak minat buku…”
(“…even I am not interested in books..”)

And another professional said to me –
“Malaysian generally do not read to their kids lah, B!”

Well, my friend’s observation is probably true. I reckon Malaysians have more handphones per household than books – although I don’t have the statistics to back up my claim (and neither did my friend, mind you). Nonetheless, not-so-recently I had read on a sound research study done in Britain about how reading, kids (sons, more specifically) and parents (fathers are the highlight) are intertwined, and I’d like to share it with you here. Do read on.

Boys read if Dad does

* by Adele Horin, December 1, 2008, from www.essentialbaby.com.au

A study has shown that fathers can raise boys' interest in reading simply by setting a good example and reading more themselves.

A study by Killian Mullan, a research associate at the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW shows in two-parent families the boys who read the most have fathers who also like to read a lot. And the girls who read the most have mothers who read.

In lone-mother families, boys and girls are equally influenced by their mothers' love of reading.

But parents have to devote at least 50 minutes a day to a book, newspaper or magazine to have any influence on their children's reading habits. And they have to read where their children can see them.

The research is based on time-use diaries on a typical day of two-parent and lone-mother families in Britain.

However, very few parents read so much and only 17 per cent of the boys and 26 per cent of the girls read anything on the day examined, homework excluded.

Dr Mullan will present his findings at the International Association for Time Use Research conference in Sydney starting today.

BFO is related to Intan Gemilang by virtue of being the sister of its founder. Views expressed in BFO’s articles are hers alone and may not represent Intan Gemilang’s. BFO is a speech-language pathologist and an academic staff member of a university in Kuala Lumpur. She is currently completing a PhD degree in deafness studies in Australia.