alleesmama
07-25-2009, 10:41 PM
I really try not to be an anxious mommy, but Allee's starting kindergaten, and she's my first, so I have no idea about this whole school thing!
Are there things I should be doing to get her prepared? We did the Round-Up back in April.
Because she had a rough start in life (multiple types of drug exposure in utero, multiple foster homes, living with auntie that she calls mommy, been on ADD meds for several months), I thought I would go in to meet the teacher and give her some background on Allee. Allee tends to be a talker when she gets nervous, so I could see her saying things that would necessitate a conference if not explained early on.... Allee needs some extra time to get used to new places too, so I thought I would see if the week before school started maybe we could pop in to the classroom to show her around and introduce her to the teacher one more time before school starts. But at the same time, I don't want to be that "problem parent" taking up a lot of the teacher's time with stupid little things, ya know?
They said that the teachers and assistants can't help with redressing after pottying, so I have started buying everything elastic waisted. She's got buttons and snaps figured out when *facing* her, but not when they are on her own clothes, LOL. I have snap and button jeans for her to wear at home to practice those skills.
Academically, I have little fear :D She knows her ABCs, knows the sounds of each letter and how to write them, knows how to write her first and last name (working on her remembering how to spell her middle name) along with many family names, recognises a few sight words, can count to 100 only missing a few numbers (usually she starts getting 70, 80, 90 confused, and when she gets to 99, she wants to follow it with 90-10 still). She's got colors and shapes down.
Socially, I have minor worries, but I think they are normal worries--she tends to get lost in a crowd and won't speak up, or the exact opposite, LOL, she will decide that she's the leader and will boss all the other kids around. I'm a little concerned about her behavior around friends, because she has ADD, and even on medicine has occasional bad days like anyone does, when she's crankier and in a foul mood, which usually will mean she doesn't want to take turns, gets possessive, etc. But, we are talking to the dr in 2 weeks about that, to see if we should change her dose a little for school time.
Physically, I don't have any worries either. She's a runner, jumper, climber, can already pump on the swings, so I don't think she'll have the issues that I did in school. Hahaha, I had my first pair of athletic "tennies" when I was 8 years old, until then, I had only patent leather Mary Janes or Saltwater Sandals. Neither work well for running, kicking, playing in PE, so I had a *bad* start at all things athletic. Allee is much better than I am in that area already!
So really, its just the minor things.... Is there a way to make starting kindgarten easier for her? How do I keep my tears in check (I mean, its my *baby* and she's not a *baby* if she's going to kindy!)?? Any hints you have to making things go smoother??
Are there things I should be doing to get her prepared? We did the Round-Up back in April.
Because she had a rough start in life (multiple types of drug exposure in utero, multiple foster homes, living with auntie that she calls mommy, been on ADD meds for several months), I thought I would go in to meet the teacher and give her some background on Allee. Allee tends to be a talker when she gets nervous, so I could see her saying things that would necessitate a conference if not explained early on.... Allee needs some extra time to get used to new places too, so I thought I would see if the week before school started maybe we could pop in to the classroom to show her around and introduce her to the teacher one more time before school starts. But at the same time, I don't want to be that "problem parent" taking up a lot of the teacher's time with stupid little things, ya know?
They said that the teachers and assistants can't help with redressing after pottying, so I have started buying everything elastic waisted. She's got buttons and snaps figured out when *facing* her, but not when they are on her own clothes, LOL. I have snap and button jeans for her to wear at home to practice those skills.
Academically, I have little fear :D She knows her ABCs, knows the sounds of each letter and how to write them, knows how to write her first and last name (working on her remembering how to spell her middle name) along with many family names, recognises a few sight words, can count to 100 only missing a few numbers (usually she starts getting 70, 80, 90 confused, and when she gets to 99, she wants to follow it with 90-10 still). She's got colors and shapes down.
Socially, I have minor worries, but I think they are normal worries--she tends to get lost in a crowd and won't speak up, or the exact opposite, LOL, she will decide that she's the leader and will boss all the other kids around. I'm a little concerned about her behavior around friends, because she has ADD, and even on medicine has occasional bad days like anyone does, when she's crankier and in a foul mood, which usually will mean she doesn't want to take turns, gets possessive, etc. But, we are talking to the dr in 2 weeks about that, to see if we should change her dose a little for school time.
Physically, I don't have any worries either. She's a runner, jumper, climber, can already pump on the swings, so I don't think she'll have the issues that I did in school. Hahaha, I had my first pair of athletic "tennies" when I was 8 years old, until then, I had only patent leather Mary Janes or Saltwater Sandals. Neither work well for running, kicking, playing in PE, so I had a *bad* start at all things athletic. Allee is much better than I am in that area already!
So really, its just the minor things.... Is there a way to make starting kindgarten easier for her? How do I keep my tears in check (I mean, its my *baby* and she's not a *baby* if she's going to kindy!)?? Any hints you have to making things go smoother??