The new school year is upon us, and helping your child transition is a great way to be involved in your child’s learning.

As adults, there are steps we can take to set our children up for success.

How to Enroll

Round 2 enrollment is open until August 31, and it’s not too late to enroll your child in pre-K or kindergarten. The Jeffco Public Schools site makes it easy to find, learn about, and register your child for school. Follow these steps to find and enroll in a great local school.

• Use the school finder to locate your neighborhood school or find other school options that have open enrollment.
• Once you have a school or list of schools, you can learn more about each one.
• After you make your decision, it is time to enroll.

For help in the enrollment process, call the school you are interested in or contact the Enroll Jeffco Support Line.

 

 

Prep your child for school (even after it starts)

Preparing and practicing skills that kids need for school can be a fun experience for both you and your child. And the fun doesn’t need to end when school starts, keep practicing these important skills and routines to help them transition successfully.

Preschool

Starting school for the first time is a big transition for your child – and it can be a big change for kids and parents alike. Here are some great ways to practice essential preschool skills.

• Set and stick to a schedule at home. If your child has a routine at home, they are more likely to adjust to the school routine. Consistent morning and bedtime routines, as well as a daily schedule, can help prevent challenging behavior.
• Read with your child as much as possible. Reading to your child daily will also foster a love of reading and help expand their vocabulary. These are two essential areas that will set your child up for short- and long-term success! It can also be helpful to read books about going to school.
• Practice your child’s self-help and fine motor skills together. Practicing skills such as using scissors, putting on shoes and socks, using the toilet, and washing hands is a great way to ensure that your child feels comfortable when you aren’t there to help.

Kindergarten

Here are some tips you can use to help ease them into kindergarten and make the transition easier for you both!

• Increase your child’s responsibility and independence at home. Allow your child to take care of small tasks such as emptying their bag after a trip, helping you fold washcloths, and picking out their clothes for the day. Giving your child tasks to be responsible for will help create a feeling of importance and independence around the house. That feeling will transfer into their kindergarten experience!
• Create a space for your child to do homework. Sometimes, kindergarteners will receive short worksheets to practice their new skills at home. Having an area set aside for them to work can help set them up for success and foster their love of homework for the future.
• Reduce naps or phase them out entirely. Many schools have phased out naps at this age or provide the children with an option to nap or not. Preparing your child to function without a nap before heading into school is a great way to ease them into it and reduce the likelihood of tired tantrums!

 

 

Resources for Success

We put together this list of resources to set you and your child up for a great school year!

• Prepping for preschool
• Prepping for kindergarten
• Skills to practice at home before your child goes to school
• Games to play to prepare your child for school