Not every child has "think through" skills starting school. Some children need help developing these skills.

Independence leads to confidence. Allowing your little ones to practice picking out their clothes and getting dressed alone is a great way to build those self-confidence skills.

Your child will start learning their full name, address, and phone number at the beginning of the school year.

Be certain your child has the required health screenings and immunizations needed to start kindergarten.

Know where you will access information about school closings, resources, back-to-school night and orientation nights.

Did you know laughing with your child is like medicine to their growing mind and body?

How did Week 1 go? Were you able to get at least a few accomplished? Complete the survey.

Tip Write your child a note and read it to them about what your hopes and dreams are for kindergarten. Have them help you decorate the envelope with you and put it in their backpack. Tell them to have the teacher read it to them whenever they need extra encouragement. By the end of the…

Tip Can your child use the bathroom, wash their hands, button their pants, and open everything you are sending for lunch? Maybe not in that order! Sometimes we don’t realize all the things we do for our children without thinking. This week, refrain from helping with the bathroom, snack bags and juice boxes. Also, pay…

Tip School readiness means each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. Screeners are used by schools to better understand what supports the school needs to have in place to be ready for all entering kindergarteners. This is not a “test” or “assessment”…

Tip Find out when your child’s back-to-school night is happening and let the school know if there is a reason you can’t attend such as transportation, child care, etc. Schools can sometimes help navigate these barriers. Tool Daviess County Public Schools District Website Owensboro Public Schools District Website Community Connection Today’s connection is pretty easy…

Tip Parental resilience is bouncing back in order to move forward. It’s helpful for your child to know you experience stress but you have healthy ways to work through them. Don’t be afraid to tell your child a little about the ups and downs of life as appropriate for their age. For example, “I had…

Tips Good parenting isn’t always about wise words, genius advice and trips to the beach. The most important message you can send your child is “I like having you around. I’m listening to you. You are safe and loved.” Isn’t that what you still want as an adult? Pats on the head, listening to the…

Recap How did Week 2 go? Were you able to get a few accomplished? No worries if you skipped around or only did a couple. These are just TIPS that can help you and your rising kindergartener feel more prepared for that first day of school. Hopefully, you are learning about some community partners around…

Tip Children in Kindergarten will have quiet time each day. Around the same time each day set a timer for 15 minutes and give your child something to do or play with alone. Next, have a prompt that signals this quiet time “Give a squeeze nice and slow, take a deep breath and let it…

Tip Recognizing this kind of print is one of the beginning stages of literacy development. The letters, numbers, shapes, and colors found in logos for products and stores such as McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Coke, and Campbell’s soup all provide opportunities for emerging readers to interact with print and the written word in their own environment. Another…

Tip Student identification information will be needed to complete the kindergarten registration process. Tool Comprehensive information about enrollment requirements may be found on the Kentucky Department of Education website. Documentation you will need for registration includes: One type of reliable proof of age and identification.Birth Certificate, Social Security card, passport, immigration card, or other suitable…

Tip What after-school options do you have? If you are in need of after-school care, talk with your school’s Family Resource Youth Services Center. If your child will be riding a bus home make sure to talk to your child about who they should expect to be home when they are dropped off, where they…

Tip Your child will be asked to show off their physical strength as part of the Kindergarten screening process. Here are some things your child might be asked to do: Stand on 1 foot for 30 seconds, hop on 1 foot, jump on both feet together, climb stairs, and bounce a ball and try to…

Tip Praise the progress your child makes as they try something new. Praising the effort takes the pressure off of you as a parent and off of your child to “get it right”. Let them know when they are on the right track. This will help build their confidence and support them in completing new…

Recap How did Week 3 go? We’ve only got 2 weeks to go! Exciting! Remember this isn’t a checklist you MUST complete to be ready. These are some helpful tips and fun ways to ease into this new transition. We’re sure you are doing great and hopefully finding some new community resources to help you…

Tip Bedtime and morning routines can make or break the day! Begin practicing your bedtime and morning routine about 2 weeks before school starts. Tool Community Connection Visit the Daviess County Public Library, located at 2020 Frederica Street in Owensboro, anytime between now August 9th and you will find a table set-up with clip art,…

Tip Transitioning to kindergarten can bring about feelings for families and children. It is important to allow your child to express feelings in a safe way. Prompt your child to talk about how they feel as the first day approaches. Label feelings for children when they don’t have the words. Example: nervous, excited, scared. Embrace…

Tip You have valuable insight about your child that can be helpful for your child’s teacher. For example, you know what makes your child nervous and excited and ways to hold their attention for longer periods of time. Go ahead and jot down a few things you think your child’s teacher should know about your…

Tip If you haven’t registered your child for kindergarten, don’t delay, DO IT Today! If you are still missing documents required for kindergarten, this is your friendly reminder to get them in. If your child is registered and all paperwork has been received by the school, take a break today! Tool Daviess County Public Schools…

Tip You have worked hard to keep your little one fed, bathed, clothed, and cared for each day. You are meeting their needs so that they can learn and grow! Give yourself a self-care treat. Taking care of others is no small task! You’re doing great! Take a look at your schedule this fall. When…

Tip A BIG part of learning for your kindergartener will be understanding how things are grouped together and what words rhyme. You can find ways to incorporate this into everyday activities, especially at the grocery store and cleaning the house. For example, when you are in the bread aisle at the grocery store, see if…

Recap How did you like Week 4? Hopefully, you are inching closer to feeling ready for that big day and having some fun building community with the online conversations via the OK Go! Facebook page.

Tip Your child is their own person. Help them find, embrace and use their unique strengths. Your reaction to their unique traits will shape how they see themselves. For example, is their gift of humor a good thing or do they get in trouble often for this “gift”? Help your child use their special personality…

Tip Help! This is a big feeling and I do not know what else to do! I need you to stay calm and teach me how to handle these feelings and needs. As the adult, you can help the child feel in control by offering choices, logical consequences and affirming big feelings. Check out the…

Tip Kindergarten students have never been to school, so they don’t know what to expect. It is a very different setting from what they might have been used to at home, preschool, or daycare. Reach out to your child’s school or their previous early learning center to ask what a typical day of kindergarten looks…

Tip As a team, my child and I solve problems together. Keeping communication strong between you and your growing child will help both of you navigate their school experience even beyond kindergarten. As your child’s first teacher you have set them up for success! Learn from your child, listen to your child, and meet them…

Tip Who says the teacher has to make the first move? Email your child’s teacher, introduce yourself, thank them for teaching your pride and joy and welcome them to the family! They will be your new parenting partner in many ways so it’s time to get to know one another. If you have talents or…

Tip If you haven’t registered your child for kindergarten, don’t delay, DO IT Today! If your child is registered give a Hip, Hip, Hooray! You are done with the day. Tool Daviess County Public Schools – Gearing up for Kindergarten Owensboro Public Schools – Registering for School Community Connection Niko’s Bakery & Cafe, located at…

Recap How did you like Week 5? We’ve only got 1 week to go and then your toddler will be walking into a big school. WHOA! Hopefully, you are inching closer to feeling ready for that big day and having some fun building community with the online conversations via the OK Go! Facebook page.

Tip Curiosity will be a key personality trait for your child this year! Asking open-ended, fun questions help children learn how to tell stories, use their imagination and practice curiosity. As you listen to their stories you are building a positive sense of self. Example – “If you could make your own school what would…

Tip Using a timer, begin teaching your child how time works. When children understand time, they’re better at managing it.  This builds independence and a stronger sense of control. Try setting a 15-minute timer this week before bedtime. Have your child be in control of starting and stopping the timer if possible. Give them a…

Tip Have your child look out the window and explain the weather outside and then ask your child, what’s the weather on the inside? Helping children notice when they are stressed, sad, frustrated, and happy helps them manage their emotions better. Sometimes we call this “Name it, to tame it.” This doesn’t have to be…

Tip Kids love to see how they have grown physically. Start a simple growth chart by having your child stand against a door frame or wall, and place a mark along with the date so they can see just how tall they are. Update the chart at the end of each school year (or more…

Tip The first day of kindergarten is only a day away! You’ve been working with your child to get them ready for the big day and all of that hard work is going to pay off. Take some time to review and put into practice our top five tips. Don’t worry if your child is…