Your child should be able to recite her full name and parents’ names, her address, and telephone number before going off to school. Make sure she knows what to do in case she’s approached by a stranger. Go for walks and practice walking on the sidewalk, crossing at crosswalks, and looking both ways before crossing the street. And make sure that she knows exactly how she’s getting home: her bus number and driver’s name, if she rides the bus; who may be picking her up (make a list and tell her to only ride with those designated people); or how to get home if she’s walking (practice the route several times, or just walk with her). Devise an alternate plan in case one way of getting home falls through.
Despite your best efforts, your child’s first day of kindergarten will still be tinged with sadness – after all, your baby’s grown up so fast. But helping him to prepare beforehand will make the transition as easy as possible for both of you.