Teaching Kindergarten

The Orientation Program

Sharing information begins before school starts. Holding an orientation meeting during the spring before the children start school and possibly a second one in the fall after the children have attended for a few days is a good beginning toward developing a positive relationship with parents/caregivers. Some suggestions for an effective orientation meeting follow:

• The children should be included in part of the orientation so that they can begin to become familiar with the environment. Pairing beginning students with current Kindergarten students is often successful.
• Short informal visits to students' homes can be rewarding for all concerned.
• Locally taped or commercial audio-visual productions could be shown to demonstrate the program philosophy. (Please refer to Children First: A Bibliography for Kindergarten, Saskatchewan Education, 1994 for suggested commercial titles.)
• Lists of required materials could be given to parents/caregivers so they have the summer to obtain them. When requesting these materials teachers should be sensitive to the socioeconomic situation in the community they serve. (Please refer to the following two sample letters for suggestions.)
• The principal, secretary, school nurse, teacher-librarian, speech therapistt and other people who will be involved in the program should be introduced to parents/caregivers and students.
• A treasure could be sent home with each child (e.g., a painting or collage made at school). This often stimulates home conversation regarding school and can help to ease any anxiety that may exist about beginning school.
• A typical day in the Kindergarten could be described.
• The value of play should be explained.
• Handouts regarding the value of play, the value of reading to your child, etc. could be distributed.
• Parents/caregivers should be informed about ways they can volunteer to help with the program. (Sample letter.)
• Lists of miscellaneous treasures for Kindergarten could be distributed so that parents/caregivers can collect materials to donate. (Refer to a sample of a letter requesting materials.)
• Safety precautions should be stressed, including teaching the children to walk to school with a friend, to know their names, phones numbers and addresses, and to recognize block parent signs and how to use them.
• Information about starting days and times should be provided.
• Parents/caregivers could be given time to participate in hands-on activities in one or more of the activity centres.
• Some of the parents/caregivers who have been actively involved in the Kindergarten program during the current or past years could be invited to share their experiences with the new parents/caregivers. This could be done in small groups.
• Questionnaires containing basic information about children's health habits, interests and experiences could be distributed for completion. See the following page for an example.

Kindergarten Supplementary Information Sheet

The information requested on this form will assist the teacher in understanding and meeting your child's individual needs. Any comments that you feel may be helpful are appreciated.

Child's name: _________________________________________
Name or nickname child answers to: ________________________
Date of birth: __________________________________________

1. List any allergies your child may have. Please be specific.

   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________

2. List the names and ages of brothers and/or sisters, if applicable.

   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________

3. Previous Group Experiences:

   Nursery, playschool, day-care: __________________________
   Length of time attended:________________________________

   Other Groups (e.g., Sunday school, lessons, etc.):

   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________

4. What are your child's special interests?
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________

5. Hand preference: Left ( ) Right ( ) Not established ( )

6. How does your child feel about coming to school?
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________

7. Is there any other information you feel your child's teacher should have regarding your child?
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________
   ________________________________________________________