Search
- Home
- Sites
- Communications
- News
- News Archive
- 2009
- July
- Headline News
- Parents also need to prepare for kindergarten
A child might be facing the unknown when starting kindergarten, but parents need to prepare as well. They are faced with many responsibilities.
Parents need to find out key information about their child’s potential school. It is important for parents to learn about the school well before the first day of class, according to LSU AgCenter family development expert Dr. Rebecca White.
Learning the school’s philosophy about school readiness and determining whether the school’s expectation is well-suited to their child’s best interest is a critical step to the child’s success, White says. She advises parents to meet with the school principal and kindergarten teachers and get answers to the following questions and requests.
– What is the principal’s name?
– What are the names of the preschool/kindergarten teachers? Or, what is the name of my child’s teacher?
– How do I register my child for kindergarten?
– What information do I need to register my child for kindergarten?
– What forms do I need to fill out?
– What immunizations are required for school entry?
– Describe your kindergarten program.
– Please provide a kindergarten yearly calendar.
– Please provide a daily kindergarten schedule.
– What are the transportation procedures?
– What are the food service arrangements?
– How can I be involved in my child education and in the school?
Parents who get answers to these questions and requests are better prepared to make wise decisions on behalf of their young child, White says, noting that it is a proactive way parents can better prepare their children for school.
Editor: Mark Claesgens
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture