My favorite twin sister, Sarah, is back on the podcast to share her expert tips and favorite resources for preparing toddlers for kindergarten! Sarah is a junior kindergarten teacher and recently attended the Kindergarten Academy Conference and is excited to share what she learned with our listeners!
Some of Sarah’s Favorite Reading/Learning Apps
Screen Guidelines
- Limit to 15 minutes of screen time at younger ages.
- There are timer apps (like this one) for shutting of your phone to limit screen time.
- By 6pm, Sarah all kids need to be off all screens/technology so their little brains can rest.
Encourage Sociability and Imagination
- Try not to give your kids a phone when you’re out shopping to encourage eye contact and greeting people when out in public.
- For more on this subject, listen to this podcast with Denita Dinger
Schedules with Kids
- Sarah and I recommend picture/visual schedules for young kids so they know what is happening throughout the day.
- For more on this topic, check out this podcast with Sarah!
Parent/Teacher Relationship Tips
- Communication! Communication! Communication!
- Figure out what the teacher prefers for communication (app, email, etc.) and use it.
- Ask questions if you have them!
- Tell teachers you appreciate them (and gift cards are always awesome)!
- Remember, you BOTH want what is best for your kids!
- Consider donating money or supplies (markers, play-doh, etc.) to the classroom for needed supplies (that teachers often have to pay for out of their own pockets).
- Make sure kids can tie their shoes before they go to school! ;)
Just Play
- Google science experiments or give the kids supplies that are safe (flour, yeast, cornstarch) and let them learn by getting messy!
- The BEST way to teach our kids is to let them play… and play WITH them!
We got this Encouragers!
