Parent Resources

helpful
Generally, a child who is excited and enthusiastic about learning will do just fine in Kindergarten. At home, you can foster a love of learning before school even starts. Teaching your child additional skills at home will make the transition to a classroom setting easier and sets a strong foundation moving forward.

Please take a look at our Parent's Guide to Kindergarten for information and tips about Kindergarten at SMCDSB.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has also provided 5 tips for parents of students heading into Kindergarten.

What skills would be helpful for my child to know before entering Kindergarten?

  • Recognizing his/her own first and last name
  • Knowing the first and last name of parents/guardians
  • Quiet listening during story time
  • Sharing and taking turns
  • Putting on and taking off shoes (velcro shoes are best)
  • Practicing bathroom routines like dressing, undressing, flushing the toilet and washing hands
  • Buttoning and zipping clothing
  • Tidying up toys when finished playing

    • What should my child wear to school?

    Clothing and footwear should be...
    • Comfortable and suited to active play
    • Easy to take on and off (ie. velcro shoes)
    • Durable and easy to clean
    • Suitable for the weather conditions
    • Clearly labelled with your child's first and last name

    What type of backpack should my child have?

  • Try to find something large enough to carry a lunchbox, jacket, and activities or crafts your child may bring home, but small enough that it is easy to carry independently
  • Your child should be comfortable carrying, opening and closing the backpack
  • Lunch boxes and plastic containers should be easy to open and close
  • Remember to label the backpack, lunch box and containers with your child's first and last name

    • What types of food should my child bring?

  • Prepare your child for a good day with a well-balanced breakfast
  • Provide healthy snacks and lunches
  • Remember that some students may have potentially life-threatening allergies - please be aware of the classroom and school rules surrounding food and allergies
  • We encourage lunches without a lot of packaging to limit waste and be good stewards of the environment.