October 4, 2021 Your Child is Going to Kindergarten: Family Guide (ECLKC) Your child’s transition to kindergarten! The transition to kindergarten is a big moment for children and caregivers alike! You may be feeling proud and excited, or sad and uncertain, about the changes that this transition will bring. Know that your experience and emotions are welcome and valid and that with a bit of preparation, your family can be ready for the first day! Your Child is Going to Kindergarten To help children and caregivers prepare for kindergarten, the Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) created a family resource entitled, “Your Child is Going to Kindergarten: Making the Move Together.” What is included? The resource includes recommended tasks for the months leading up to and the first week of kindergarten, including: when to talk with your child’s current educator, ask about kindergarten transition activities, and learn more about the new school; when to arrange a school visit with your child, what to do when you are there, what to bring with you, and what to ask; how you can prepare and key things to consider during summer, the week before school, and the night before school; and things you can do during the first week to make the transition easier. This resource is available online and as a printable PDF. Learn More To view more kindergarten transitions strategies from ECLKC, visit the Head Start website. For additional tips, see our Kindergarten Transition Family Guide.
How to Create a Family Schedule Create a family schedule that works! As a parent or caregiver, you know how hard it can be to juggle daily responsibilities. From work and education to meals and transportation, families have to organize an intricate schedule of tasks and activities. While it can be overwhelming, creating a family schedule can help with identifying what needs to happen when, by who, and for how long. Every family is unique, so create a schedule that works for yours. It can be as loose or as firm as you need. The best type of schedule is a schedule that meets your family’s needs. To get started, follow the steps below and work together as a family to identify what does and does not work. How to create a personal or family schedule: 1. Print out a copy of the Schedule Planner on pages two through five. 2. Fill out your family’s schedule priorities, routines, and wants. Start with yourself. When done, move to another family member. Depending on the size of your family, you may need an additional paper for brainstorming. 3. Add in your priorities, routines, and wants into the calendar. Start with your priorities and block off dedicated hours for those tasks. That will make it easier to identify open times for other tasks or wants. Invite your family members to make their own schedules. This encourages them to be a part of the planning process and helps them better understand their schedules and routines. You can work with young children to create a schedule together. Ask them to talk about what they do after they wake up, at school, before bed, and in between! If the calendar is not big enough, use it as inspiration and create your own! Make it playful by decorating it in different colors, writing utensils, stickers, and more! Or draw it on a whiteboard or chalkboard so you can update it as needed! 4. Talk about your schedules together. What looks the same and what looks different? Keep your schedule on hand, post it on your fridge or a wall, or add it to your phone calendar. Make sure children can easily access their schedules every day. Making copies can be useful for when children stay elsewhere, such as at a family or loved one’s house. Keeping at least the required elements of the schedule consistent helps maintain your child’s well-being and ability to transition successfully. 5. Review your schedules together at the beginning of each day and refer to them often. Let children know if something in the schedule needs to change on a particular day and why it is changing. Try to keep your schedule as similar as possible each day. Think About Your Daily Routines What must you complete? Make a list of tasks you must complete on a daily basis and how long they typically take. Examples include drop-off, pick-up, grocery shopping, working, bathing, cooking, homework, and medications. What routines and rituals do you have in place? List at least three routines or rituals (morning, family meals, etc.) you have and the required steps. What would be nice to accomplish? Make a list of tasks that would be nice to accomplish throughout the week and how long they typically take. Examples include activities, hobbies, and social gatherings. What is recommended for children? At least 15 to 20 minutes of reading per day. Opportunities to play throughout the day (imaginative, cooperative, nature, parallel, etc.). A variety of play activities throughout the day for children ages three to five and at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children ages six to seventeen. For more physical health recommendations, read our family guide. Recommended Activities List Consider adding these activities into your family schedule, or create your own activity ideas! For young children, it is helpful to write short words with big letters and draw a picture of the activity on their schedules. Common Chores Making and Eating Breakfast Making and Eating Lunch Making and Eating Dinner Making and Eating a Snack At Work Doing Laundry Doing the Dishes Taking Out Trash or Recycling Sweeping the Floors Mopping the Floors Taking Care of My Pet Cleaning the Bathroom Cleaning Up Grocery Shopping Common Elements of Routines Drop Off Pick Up Brushing and Flossing My Teeth Taking a Bath / Shower Changing My Clothes Putting on My Shoes Packing My Backpack Medication Homework Set the Table / Clear the Table Quiet Time Nap Time Bed Time Family Outing Fun Activities Going to the Playground Going on a Walk Singing and Dancing Together Spending Time Outdoors Play Time Creative Time and Self Expression Reading a Book or Storytelling Snuggles with Someone I Love Visiting a Friend or Loved One Watching TV or a Movie Together Talking About Our Days Together Dedicated Time with a Loved One Playing Tag Doing Animal Yoga Additional Resources Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series Developmentally Appropriate Parenting is a family resource content series developed by Trying Together as an effort to empower caregivers to create high-quality experiences at the earliest stages of their child’s life. Zero to Thrive Zero to Thrive believes that the period from pregnancy through early childhood is an essential time for mitigating the multi-generational effects of inequity, trauma, and adversity. Their website features resources on routines, transitioning to child care, and more. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website features printable resources on creating a family schedule checklist, family rules, and chore charts.
Kindergarten Transition: A Guide for Families How to navigate kindergarten transition. The transition to kindergarten marks the beginning of a new era of parenting and childhood that includes longer school days, new relationships, and new family routines. To support families in navigating this transition successfully, Trying Together developed the Kindergarten Transition Guide for Families. Readers will learn why kindergarten transition matters, about common steps to prepare for, and strategies that can help. Download this resource as a PDF in English and Spanish. What is Kindergarten Transition? Kindergarten Transition describes the critical period in which children shift from primarily learning at home or in an early learning program to entering a kindergarten classroom. It can include the series of months leading up to and after a child’s first day. Why does it matter? A successful transition to kindergarten leads to better long-term outcomes, including: higher ratings of social-emotional competence, reduced stress at the beginning of the school year, and an increased likelihood of forming new relationships, improved academic growth in kindergarten, including an increased likelihood of reading on grade-level by third grade and higher high school graduation rates, and an increase in family involvement over the year. At what age do children start kindergarten? If you live in Pennsylvania and your child is five, or will be five by the start of the school year, it is time to register them for kindergarten! School year start dates vary from mid-August to September depending on the school district. How to Register 1. Identify which school your child will attend for kindergarten. Use Google to search for “kindergarten registration” followed by your town, city, or borough name. Visit each school’s website to view their student outcomes, calendars, enrollment data, and more. If you live in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, or Westmoreland County, visit Trying Together’s Kindergarten Transition page to access a list of school districts, websites, and deadlines. If you live in the Pittsburgh Public School District, you can use their online tool to search for schools by grade range or your address. 2. Register your child for kindergarten. Complete the enrollment form. Depending on the school, this could be completed through a paper form, online form, or over the phone. You must provide proof of your child’s age (birth certificate), two current proof of residency documents (lease, deed, utility bills, etc.), and a copy of your child’s immunization records. Prepare these documents before enrolling. Some school districts open kindergarten registration as early as February and offer family events in March or April. The earlier you register your child, the better. Make sure your child has plenty of time to adjust to the new setting. What supports a successful kindergarten transition? Although the transition to kindergarten will look different for each school, family, and child, there are three key elements that support a successful transition: a child who knows what to expect, has practiced school-day routines, can express their worries and feelings openly, and has access to individualized support as needed, families who build relationships with school staff, participate in family engagement events, and proactively prepare their child for the transition to kindergarten, and school staff who welcome students and families through multiple methods (events, emails, phone calls, etc.), communicate regularly with families, and work to ensure families are prepared for the transition to kindergarten. What can families do? As a parent or caregiver, there is a lot you can do to help your child prepare for kindergarten. Set up a day for your child to visit the school, their classroom, and the playground before the first day. This will help them feel prepared. If you register for kindergarten early, many school districts hold community events for incoming kindergarten students and their families in the spring (such as literacy or math nights) and summer (orientation or kindergarten camp) prior to the new school year. Practice school routines at home (morning and nighttime routines, songs, using a lunch tray, walking in line, following a schedule, bathroom breaks, etc.). Start these routines early! Do not wait until one week before school starts. Practice skills such as dressing, undressing, tying shoes, and hand-washing to help them feel more confident using these skills at school. Teach conversation starters that your child can use to introduce themselves, make friends, ask questions, or assert a need. “Hi, my name is _____.” “I like _____. What do you like?” “Do you want to play?” Read books about kindergarten together before and after school begins. Ask your child what they are most excited about, if they are worried about anything, and if they have any questions. Let your child know that kindergarten is a place to have fun and make new friends and that you are excited to hear stories about their day at pickup. Relate this transition to a familiar experience they had such as child care, pre-kindergarten, or the first time they stayed at someone else’s house. If your child is anxious, validate their emotions and ask about their worries. Share a story about a time you were anxious and how you got through it. Send a list of your child’s allergies and medications to your school’s nurse and your child’s teacher before school starts. Label all of your child’s school items (backpack, pencil case, lunch boxes, etc.) with their name and your phone number. Create a pickup and dropoff plan and practice it, including who is and who is not allowed to pick them up at school. Choose a safe adult password. If the school allows, send your child to school with a comfort object. They may only get to see it at rest time but having it can help make them feel more comfortable. At dropoff, reassure your child that you will pick them up at a specific time and share your goodbyes. Lingering for too long can make it more difficult. Try to be positive. What might schools offer? An Open House event that includes a tour of the school, a meet-and-greet with the teachers, an overview of school expectations, and the curriculum. A Kindergarten Orientation Packet with information on school procedures, classroom rules, parent expectations, daily schedules, needed supplies, contact information, the curriculum, preparation tips, and more. An opportunity for new students to ride the bus before the first day of school. Discussions on services your child will receive through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if they require one. If your child has an IEP prior to kindergarten, these conversations must begin in February before the school year begins. Regular communication (email, phone, text) to provide updates, discuss your child’s interests and needs, and share resources or opportunities. If you speak a language other than English, you have the right to an interpreter and materials written in your home language (registration information, report cards, policies and procedures, parent handbooks, special education services, etc. ). School-wide activities that provide opportunities for children and families to socialize. If the school is hosting an in-person event for families, ask them if child care and/or transportation services are being offered (if you need them). For more examples, view this handout from the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center. Additional Resources The Hi5! Partnership The Hi5! Partnership shares kindergarten registration deadlines, kindergarten transition information, and more with families in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Family Engagement Toolkit To reinforce parents and early learning professionals in their work to create strong partnerships, Trying Together created a Family Engagement Toolkit. View the toolkit to access relationship-building strategies, resources, and more. Individual Education Plans (IEP) For information on Individual Education Plans and the transition from early intervention services in pre-kindergarten programs to kindergarten, view these resources: A Family Guide to Inclusive Early Learning in Pennsylvania: bit.ly/iep-family-guide Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: bit.ly/ei-faqs Early Intervention Transition: bit.ly/ei-transition Support for Limited English Proficient Families The United States Department of Justice and Department of Education created a fact sheet that answers common questions about the rights of families with limited English proficiency. The document is available in Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Cambodian, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and English. National Association for the Education of Young Children The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website features articles on kindergarten transition, school readiness, and more.
Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Part IX Transitions & Routines From the moment a child is born, they experience a significant change in their environment or experience, also known as a transition. During early childhood, children experience a wide range of transitions, such as starting child care or kindergarten, welcoming a new family member, losing a loved one, and more. To navigate these transitions successfully, they need some help. To help guide families in navigating childhood transitions, Trying Together published resources on routines, rituals, kindergarten transition, family schedules, incorporating play, and more! Featured Resources Transitions, Routines, & Rituals: What are They and Why Do They Matter? This printable and online resource includes information on transitions, routines, rituals, and strategies families can use to help their children work through changes in routine successfully. Kindergarten Transition: A Guide for Families To support families in navigating the transition to kindergarten successfully, Trying Together developed the Kindergarten Transition Guide for Families. Readers will learn why kindergarten transition matters, about common steps to prepare for, and strategies that can help. Create Your Family Schedule Every family is unique, so create a schedule that works for yours. It can be as loose or as firm as you need. The best type of schedule is a schedule that meets your family’s needs. To get started, check out our How to Create a Family Schedule resource and work together as a family. Transitioning from Home to Child Care The transition to child care can be difficult for children and caregivers alike. Learn how your family can manage it together. How to Make Routines More Playful Children thrive when they have opportunities to play. Read this post to learn eight ways to make your routines more playful. Common Transitions and Routines for Children Although life changes can be difficult, families can help their children prepare and cope. Read this post to learn how to approach common transitions. Children’s Books That Talk About Transitions Are you looking for children’s books that talk about common childhood transitions? Check out this booklist to find books that talk about going to school, loss, changing family dynamics, and more. Your Child Is Going to Kindergarten: Family Guide The transition to kindergarten is a big moment for children and caregivers alike! You may be feeling proud and excited, or sad and uncertain, about the changes that this transition will bring. With a bit of preparation, your family can be ready for the first day! Learn more. Addressing Challenging Behaviors Challenging behaviors can manifest when children are overwhelmed. Read this post to learn strategies to address them. Transitions and Routines: Family Resources Are you looking for resources on family transitions and routines? Check out this list to view children’s books, routine templates, and more! More Information To stay up-to-date on available resources, follow Trying Together on Facebook and Twitter or sign up to receive our newsletter.
April 23, 2021 Emergency Reference Guide for Babysitters, American Red Cross This easy-to-carry, compact booklet provides step-by-step instructions to handle common emergencies for babysitters such as bee stings and asthma attacks. About It’s important for children to be safe, no matter who is taking care of them. The American Red Cross’ Emergency Reference Guide for Babysitters outlines steps babysitters can take for common injuries and emergency situations such as choking, poisoning or sudden illnesses. Download it now.
Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources Keeping children safe is one of the biggest responsibilities for a parent or child caregiver. Check out our list of resources below for more information, activities, and tools. Creating a Safe Home Environment for Children in Pennsylvania Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes provides free in-home health and safety assessments to qualified participants in Allegheny County as well as Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. The program aims to reduce hospitalizations, injuries, illnesses, or deaths from preventable home health or safety hazards. Assessments include a visual inspection for potential dangers in the home such as child safety hazards such as drowning, poisoning, tripping, burn risks, and window safety; lead-based paint; pest infestations; mold, and more. Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program offers qualifying homeowners and renters in Allegheny County with free lead-paint testing throughout their homes and hires a certified lead abatement contractor to repair any lead hazards found up to $12,000. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines actions you can take to protect your children and prevent them from coming into contact with lead before they are harmed. Staffed 24 hours a day by nurse specialists who have extensive training in clinical toxicology, the Pittsburgh Poison Center responds to requests for poison information from the general public and medical professionals who reside in 44 Pennsylvania counties. There is no fee to the general public for this service. The Pittsburgh Poison Center conducts comprehensive, continuing poison prevention education programs, as well as training programs and seminars for healthcare professionals. For emergencies, call 1.800.222.1222. ChildproofingExperts.com was founded by childproofing professionals of the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS) as a resource for parents and caregivers seeking information about keeping homes, child care centers, and play facilities safer for young children. Safe Sleep Cribs for Kids® aims to prevent infant sleep-related deaths by educating parents and caregivers on the importance of practicing safe sleep for their babies and by providing portable cribs to families who, otherwise, cannot afford a safe place for their babies to sleep. The organization’s Sleep Safe Academy offers additional tools and resources for parents. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has a comprehensive Question and Answer page about how you can make sure your infant is sleeping safely. Learn more about creating a safe sleep environment for your baby. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) crib information center offers information on crib safety and up-to-date information on infant product recalls. The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment provides recommendations for building safe sleep environments. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Safe Sleep for Infants” video discusses infant safe sleep recommendations, the need for standardized SUID investigation and reporting practices, and promising interventions. The Safe to Sleep campaign has outreach activities to spread safe sleep messages and educational materials about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. Car Seats and Travel The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program directory is provided as a way for parents and caregivers to contact technicians for information and assistance. Simply fill in the online form and search by location, language or special needs training. UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh‘s Injury Prevention Program sponsors car seat checks throughout our community. Car seat safety technicians are on-hand to teach parents to properly install car seats and explain the importance of child passenger safety seats. Call 1.877.498.4332, press 4 to make an appointment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a directory of many car seat inspection stations. Safe Kids Worldwide offers tips for parents and caregivers before, during, and after a car seat inspection appointment. Safe Kids Allegheny County is led by UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Team Educators for Child Safety (TECHS) coalition of certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians and Instructors serving the greater Pittsburgh area. The PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to assist in the development, training and promotion of Car Seat Loan Programs throughout Pennsylvania. Car seats provided to loan programs are purchased through the Child Passenger Restraint Fund from the traffic citations issued for violations of the Pennsylvania Child Passenger Protection Law. Pennsylvania Car Seat Fitting Stations have certified child passenger safety technicians available to assist with a car seat inspection and to teach you how to correctly use and install your car seat. The booklet A Parent’s Guide to Playing It Safe with Kids and Cars is designed to equip you with easy-to-understand information about today’s vehicle safety features, car seats and how to keep your kids safe in and around vehicles. The Car Seat Lady website offers some insight into how bulky winter coats pose a safety risk when worn in a car seat and what you can do to keep your child warm and safe. Pet Safety The California Department of Health’s “Don’t Let the Dogs Bite: How to be Safe Around Dogs” coloring book can aid parents and caregivers in teaching their children how to behave safely around dogs. The CDC’s “Stay Healthy Around Animals” coloring book teaches young children how to care for themselves and animals. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers a large amount of information for pet owners including: Tips for dog owners, including training your dog and teaching your children to respect your pet An outline of dog aggression and factors to consider to help you determine if your dog needs professional training. An outline of the types of behavioral and training specialists and their differences. Kids Health from Nemours has a list of infections that pets carry, how they spread, and how to prevent them. Personal Safety KidSmartz offers a list of safety scenarios to practice. Other resources include: Tell People “No” video The Safety Dance video Lesson plans about personal safety with project-based lessons for grades K-2 and 3-5. They’ll learn how to be safer through art activities, journal writing, and animated videos. The CDC has a backpack emergency card that parents can fill out and keep in their child’s backpack. Emergency Preparedness The CDC’s Ready Wrigley books teach children about different emergencies such as natural disasters and illness. American Academy of Pediatrics published Are You Ready for Disasters? Family Readiness Kit Sesame Street Let’s Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies is a bilingual (English and Spanish) multiple media resource designed to help entire families, especially those with young children, to plan and prepare together for emergencies. Through simple strategies and tips that can be incorporated into everyday routines, Let’s Get Ready helps children, families, and caregivers to prepare ahead of time in age-appropriate and engaging ways.
Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department Summer offers plenty of opportunities to get outside, get active, and enjoy family activities. By heeding some simple tips, parents and caregivers can ensure that summer is both safe and fun. About The Allegheny County Health Department and Allegheny County Department of Human Services developed a Summer Safety brochure, featuring important information and tips on how families can enjoy summer while staying safe. The Summer Safety brochure includes tips on the following topics: bug bites and stings sun safety safety on wheels water safety car safety chemical and poison safety To view the full list of tips, download the brochure.
Let’s Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies, Sesame Street A bilingual (English and Spanish) multiple media resource, Let’s Get Ready and Handling Emergencies are designed to help entire families, especially those with young children, to plan and prepare together for emergencies. Through simple strategies and tips that can be incorporated into everyday routines, these helps children, families, and caregivers to prepare ahead of time in age-appropriate and engaging ways. About Preparing for emergencies is something the whole family and community can do together! Help children remember important information, and create a family emergency kit and plan. These steps will go a long way in keeping children safe and secure. Let’s Get Ready Toolkit Handling Emergencies Toolkit
CPR for Infants and Children CPR can save a child’s life by providing the brain, heart and other organs with life-giving oxygen in the event of respiratory and/or cardiac arrest. Drowning, poisoning, accidents, smoke inhalation and SIDS are only a few of the emergencies that could result in death if not treated quickly. About A number of resources and courses are available to help parents and caregivers learn how to administer CPR in the event of an emergency. Infant / Pediatric CPR Study Guide, National CPR Association Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online, American Red Cross Infant CPR and Choking, National Health Care Provider Solutions Infant CPR and Adult & Child Anytime® Training Kits, American Heart Association
A Guide for Families: Creating An Emergency Kit Be prepared for an emergency situation. Emergencies like natural disasters, fires, injuries, and other crisis situations can happen in the blink of an eye, so it is important to be prepared. When children and their families prepare for an emergency situation together, children learn the basics of staying safe, and it can make emergencies less stressful because they will feel empowered. Create an Emergency Kit Take some time to create an emergency kit box with your child — turn it into a treasure hunt or a game to keep your child engaged. As you put items in the box, explain how they would help during an emergency. Prepare kits for your home, work, and vehicle and review them every six months to a year to replace expired food items or clothing your child has outgrown. Use this checklist to prepare kits for your family. Basic Needs Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation). Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food). Can opener for food. Emergency lighting, such as a flashlight, head lamp, or battery-powered lantern. Extra batteries in common sizes and batteries for any other devices such as hearing aids. Car chargers, power banks, and adapters for home use equipment and devices. A battery-powered or hand-crank National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio with USB port(s). Battery-powered or backup smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Appliance thermometers for your refrigerator and freezer. A surge protector power strip. Matches in a waterproof container. Warm clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, and emergency blankets to keep you warm in cold temperatures. Personal Needs Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation). Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items. Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream. Pet food and extra water for your pet. Cash. Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes. Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children. Medication A list of your prescription medicines. Include information about your diagnosis, dosage, frequency, medical supply needs, and allergies. Medical equipment such as inhalers, hearing aids, glucose meters and test strips, eyeglasses, etc. First aid supplies: Bandages. Antibiotic ointment. Antiseptic wipes. Latex gloves. Oral thermometer. Hand sanitizer. Tweezers and scissors. Nonprescription drugs, like pain and fever relievers, antihistamines, and antidiarrheal medicines. A cooler and chemical ice packs to chill medicines that need to be refrigerated. Paperwork Copies of insurance cards (home, car, health). Personal identification. Vital records. Photocopied veterinary records and registration information. Personal care plans. More Information For more information about preparing for an emergency with your family, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign website: ready.gov. Print This Resource This resource is available as a printable PDF (English) (Spanish).
