Skip To Main Content

TK and Kindergarten

First page of the PDF file: TKKindergartenOrientation2024-25_1
How to Prepare your Kindergartener this Summer

As your child begins school, their development of independence in three main areas is essential. We would like to share these areas with you now, so you have time to help your child practice over the summer.  

Cartoon Drawing of Kindergarten Students

1. Independence in Toileting

Students will need to leave the classroom and walk down the hall to the bathroom. This means they should be able to go to the bathroom, wipe, and dress without help.  They will need to be able to tell someone if they have an accident.

2. Independence in Dressing 

  • If a child has an accident, they should be able to remove those clothing items, clean up, and put on new clothing items independently. They will then put the dirty items in a bag to take home. It will be important to keep a change of clothes in a bag in their backpack throughout the school year.  

  • Children should be able to pull their pants and underwear up and down. 

  • Please practice clothing independence with the following things:

    • Buttons and zippers.  Belts too, if your child wears them.  

    • Putting a sweater or jacket on and off. 

    • Opening and closing their backpack. 

    • Putting their shoes on and taking them off.

  • It is highly recommended children wear velcro shoes, as this enables children to put shoes on and take them off independently. If you choose to send your child to school with shoes with laces,  please practice this skill with your child.

3. Independence in Eating

  • Children should be able to open their lunch box, baggies, and containers.  Please practice having them open anything you will send with them. If you choose to give your child drinks with straws, please practice and teach your child how to poke the straw into the drink.

  • If they get a school lunch, they will need to be able to carry their own plate or paper “boat” and scoop out food (fruits and vegetables) using a large spoon or tongs when they access the salad bar.