Kindergarten Information Night: The Beginning of a Wonderful Adventure
By Paloma Moreno, Teacher
The transition to kindergarten may conjure up mixed feelings and questions for parents. Parents may wonder: What does it look like to be ready for kindergarten? And what are some strategies to support my child with this transition from nursery school? On Jan. 12, Bing Nursery School held its annual Kindergarten Information Night to address the topic for parents. Due to COVID-19, the event took place via Zoom instead of in person, and 65 parents attended.
The event began with head teacher Adrienne Lomangino providing general information regarding kindergarten eligibility, registration and requirements. Head teacher Todd Erickson reminded parents that kindergarten is a new beginning and the start of a wonderful adventure. He noted nursery schools are the connection between home and school, where children deepen their sense of self, learn to be part of a larger group and build on skills that will prepare them for kindergarten. Erickson recommended to parents that they not worry in front of their children about kindergarten but spend the next months cherishing their time together and playing with them at home.
Lomangino presented data from a survey of former Bing parents and their experiences throughout the kindergarten transition in 2021. The survey asked parents about their children’s initial feelings regarding kindergarten before it started and then how they felt about their experience a few months in. From a total of 56 responses, 84% of the students were either excited or somewhat excited to start kindergarten. A few months into the quarter, 88% reported feeling excited about school. Of all the parents who completed the survey, more than half described the transition as easy and said that it became easier as the quarter progressed.
Emma Vallarino, manager of Bing’s Kordestani Family Program for Parents and Educators, joined Lomangino to describe the base tier of fundamental readiness skills, or “basic building blocks,” for kindergarten: self-care, motor skills, self-regulation and social expression. Vallarino cited findings from a study of school readiness in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties titled “Are Children Ready for School?” Included in this study is a pyramid-shaped diagram that depicts these skills as the foundation on which academic learning is built.
Vallarino noted the ample opportunities children have at Bing to practice and build on motor skills. From running up and down the hills to using paint brushes and molding clay, children are refining their gross- and fine-motor skills through play. At home, children further develop their independence and self-care skills—both of which support children’s autonomy. “Practicing skills such as dressing, eating and toileting will not only make children feel competent but also confident,” Vallarino said.
The next tier of the pyramid is composed of self-regulation and social expression. Emotional awareness, the capacity to express oneself, and control over one’s emotions, which are aspects of these abilities, allow children to connect with others and respond to social cues.
These skills are largely learned through experiences, said Lomangino, and are practiced daily at home and at school. To further support navigating emotions, she suggested talking with children about emotions and labeling them.
Self-regulation is a social and emotional skill that children—and adults—are constantly learning. This is a domain in which we learn to follow routines, delay gratification and develop a strong sense of self. Adults can support their child’s skill by setting clear expectations and supporting the child to set and reach goals, Lomangino explained.
Language development and communication ability are also key for kindergartners, said Vallarino. It is important for young children to have the ability to express their ideas and needs and engage in a back-and-forth conversation with peers. These skills are useful during recess or in the play yard, especially when adult presence is limited.
The final learning domains Vallarino addressed were literacy and math, which are at the top of the pyramid. At Bing, children explore early literacy skills and ideas about numbers. They have lots of opportunities to create picture books and stories and to contribute to activities such as a classroom newspaper. They also experiment with words and sounds when they play games at snack time. Additionally, children often engage organically with numbers, counting and patterns through their play. The teachers create an environment that promotes learning math and literacy through play, all while fostering children to be curious and building a love for learning.
Kindergarten Information Night concluded with practical tips to help parents prepare their children for kindergarten. Lomangino said it is important for parents to have a balanced conversation with their children about kindergarten. “Keep it minimal to reduce anxiety,” Lomangino explained. Additionally, head teacher Nandini Bhattacharjya informed parents that it is important to provide children with “down time,” as transitions may be different for each child. Moreover, if children are tired after a long day at school, parents can help them decompress by providing a warm sanctuary at home and not overscheduling their child in the first few months of school. Lastly, Bhattacharjya suggested that parents partner with the school by introducing themselves to the teacher and getting involved in the school. She concluded by encouraging parents to have a positive mindset that the transition would be successful. They would be transferring some of that energy to their child and showing confidence in their child’s competence.