Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Lorain will host a Mock Kindergarten Day, May 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m. to acquaint prospective new kindergarteners and their families with the school and its programming. The school is located at 346 Illinois Ave., Lorain.
The fun-filled event will offer stations for children to complete a craft project, listen to a story, watch a therapeutic martial arts demonstration, participate in a mini gym class, enjoy a snack and, overall, get acquainted with the school. Information on IEPs will also be available.
Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Lorain Principal Jasmine Rengh says kindergarten is a major milestone in a child’s life, a time to begin a rich and exciting journey of learning and growth. It also is a time of curiosity, jitters, heightened independence and expectations, joy and lightbulb moments.
“Taking the right preparation steps can help a child transition to kindergarten by easing anxieties, building confidence and equipping them with essential skills for success,” adds Summit Academy Schools Assistant Superintendent Rebeca Tyner.
To help children and their families make a smooth transition to kindergarten, Summit Academy offers five tips.
1.Establish a routine.
“It is never too early to start establishing a routine with your child,” says Rengh, who adds that children should have a structure in place by age 3.
“It may seem odd to make them wake up early, get dressed and practice sitting or reading as if they were at school, but it will help make the transition, when it is time, a lot easier,” Rengh says.
Setting a regular bedtime is equally important, adds Rengh. She points out that students with a later-than-typical bedtime are often tired in the morning and struggle to focus.
2.Read to your child.
Infancy is the right time to start reading to your child, says Rengh. That tradition should continue on a daily basis.
“Whether it is a story before bedtime or throughout the day, the exposure to words and sounds will help make their early school years easier,” Rengh says.
3.Encourage social skills.
Teaching your child to take turns, share, say “please” and “thank you” and use kind words will go a long way in kindergarten and throughout life.
They will also serve as a springboard to help students follow school rules such as walking in line, raising their hands to speak and being kind to each other, Rengh adds.
4.Practice independence skills.
Children should be potty-trained before kindergarten age. If they can tie their shoes and zip their jackets, those are added pluses. For children still learning to tie their shoes, slip-on varieties provide good options.
In addition, teach children use the bathroom independently, to wash their hands and open lunch containers. Activities like cutting with safety scissors, drawing and playing with Play-Doh will help them develop hand strength for writing.
5.Visit the school with your child.
Attend an open house or schedule a visit to familiarize your child with the school, classroom and teachers.
Those interested in attending Summit Academy – Lorain’s Mock Kindergarten Day event can RSVP at 440-277-4110. To apply for enrollment, visit https://summitacademies.org/online-enrollment/.