- The School District of Osceola County, Florida
- Getting Ready for Kindergarten
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Starting Kindergarten? Help Make It a Good Experience!
Kindergarten brings big changes for kids. For some, it’s their first time in a structured school setting. For others, it’s going from a small classroom in preschool to a big room with lots of kids. Kids all respond differently to these changes. While some are excited by new experiences and can’t wait, others may have a tough time with change and be anxious about the kindergarten experience.
You can support your child’s transition to Kindergarten by talking about kindergarten, reading books about kindergarten, playing kindergarten and school at home, and following the tips below:
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Kindergarten Roundup
We Can't Wait To Have Your Child In Kindergarten!
If your child will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2023, it is time to register for Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year!
Tour your school with your kindergartner on February 28th!
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View Our Kindergarten Newsletter
Our 2023-2024 Kindergarten Newsletter
Kindergarten is a time to make friends and learn about the world through asking questions and exploring. While this can be a magical and exciting time for many parents and children, it can also create anxiety for others. Knowing what to expect and how to help prepare your child can assist with making the transition a little easier.
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Register Your Child
Registration
Welcome to the School District of Osceola County!
We are excited to have you and your students join our school community, where parents want to send their students, students want to learn, teachers want to teach, and employees want to work.
For students new to the School District of Osceola County, click here to visit our enrollment page.
If you would like additional information on the registration process, please visit our Online Registration Webpage.
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Transition Resources
Kindergarten Transition Information
For young children, moving from pre-school or home to kindergarten is one of the most significant transitions they will experience. We have gathered some resources that will help you and your children become prepared for their first day of school. Here are some helpful tips:
- Transition: What is it and why is it important?
- Before the First Day (For Children)
- The Final Days: Tips for Final Preparation & Drop-Off
- The Effects of Transition on a Family
- Getting to School Safely
- Get Involved - Stay Involved
School readiness involves more than just children. In the broadest sense, school readiness is about children, families, early environments, schools, and communities. If you would like to know more about school readiness, please The Ready Child resource for more information.
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School Locator Tool
School Locator
At the Osceola School District, we use BusPlanner® Web to assist you in finding the school nearest you. Simply input your address and your child's grade in the search field.
Click here to use BusPlanner® Web now!
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Kindergarten Skills
Kindergarten Skills
We have resources below to help ease a student's transition into Kindergarten.
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Principal's Letter
Principal's Letter
As you get ready to enroll your child in Kindergarten, please consider the School District of Osceola County your top choice to keep them thriving throughout their educational journey.
As you consider kindergarten options for your child, take a look below for what is special about each school at the Osceola School District.
Click here to read a letters from our principals at each of our elementary schools.
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Reading List
Books to Promote
The goal of the Transition to Kindergarten Toolkit is to support the success of Florida students transitioning to kindergarten by providing transition resources for use by districts, schools, educational centers, educators and families.
This booklist provides parents with a list of books that cover subjects such as making friends, getting ready for school, social and emotional behavior, daily routines, disabilities, and books on the Spanish language. Read more below!
Kindergarten Transition Tips
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Practice kindergarten skills
Practice kindergarten skills
Practice activities your child will be doing in Kindergarten, like writing numbers and letters, holding a pencil, writing his/her name, and cutting with child-friendly scissors.
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Make following directions fun!
Make following directions fun!
Practice following directions at home in fun ways to help prepare for kindergarten. Have your child do activities with one- and two-step directions before school starts. Doing crafts together, playing new games, learning and playing sports, and cooking together are all ways to support following directions.
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Set clear bedtime and morning routines.
Set clear bedtime and morning routines.
Setting clear bedtimes and both evening and morning routines are the KEY to ensuring smooth mornings and arriving on time to Kindergarten. Work with your child to create evening routines, including laying out clothes for the next day along with brushing teeth, reading books, and bedtime that ensures a good night’s sleep. In the mornings, practice waking up on time, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and brushing teeth. Set a goal for when you need to leave the house and challenge both you and your child to meet that goal.
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Ask how your child is feeling
Ask how your child is feeling
Your child will experience many firsts in Kindergarten and may feel anxious about the changes. You can help your child by talking about his or her feelings and talking about your feelings throughout the transition. While it might be hard for your child to understand or express feelings, asking questions and showing empathy will support the transition and show you care.
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Read together
Read together
Reading to your child as often as possible helps lay the foundation for kindergarten learning. See the “Building Kdg Readers” page on this website for lists of Kindergarten transition books and reading tips to support your beginning reader.
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Introduce new friends
Introduce new friends
If possible, connect with other families who will be going to kindergarten next year and arrange playdates and get togethers. You can go to the park, library, or any place you feel comfortable. Encourage the children to “play” kindergarten and talk about what they will learn.
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Talk about your child’s strengths
Talk about your child’s strengths
Share with your child that kindergarten is all about trying new things and working to get better at old things. Remind your child that he or she has learned so much in the first five years and has many strengths and successes. What does your child love to do? What is your child great at doing? What does your child know the most about? Take the time to celebrate your child’s strengths as they get ready for this next new adventure.
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Practice asking for help
Practice asking for help
Your child may be nervous about needing help at school. That might be with personal things like going to the bathroom independently, tying shoes, or getting ready to leave at the end of the day.
Explain that the teacher or other helpers will always be there to help if there’s a problem, and that it’s OK to ask. Have your child practice asking for help at home when needed. This will help your child build confidence to speak up in class if help is needed.