Question: My son will be entering kindergarten next fall. What are some things I should know about kindergarten right now? - Mom
Answer: You need to find out when the registration date for next year's kindergarten class is, since many schools register young children in the spring. In some areas, registering your child early is very important in order to get into a desired school or program, as children might be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
When you are ready to register your child, call first to find out exactly what paperwork (birth certificate, immunization record and so on) to bring with you. At registration, be sure to pick up any kindergarten-readiness checklists that the school corporation has developed so that you can get a good idea of how ready your child is for this school. It also helps to find out whether the kindergarten program favors a basically academic or developmental approach. Academic programs stress more formal instruction and might involve considerable seat work, while developmental programs are more concerned with the development of the whole child.