Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Children start school with a variety of experiences and knowledge. Families play an important role in helping children get ready for school.* Consider engaging in some of the following activities:
- play, read, sing and talk with your child
- encourage clear communication (e.g., asking questions, expressing needs)
- engage in play and exploration to support curiosity and wonder
- explore a variety of fine motor activities (e.g., painting, drawing, building and creating)
- encourage independence with using the toilet
- provide opportunities for your child to demonstrate independence (e.g., getting dressed, opening and closing lunch containers, practising using zippers)
*You can do any of these activities in your first language(s) or in English.
Kindergarten Orientation
Parents registering children for Kindergarten in the Halton District School Board will receive notification from their school about spring orientation. This information is intended to connect families and school staff, provide information about school and Kindergarten classroom routines and describe a typical day in Kindergarten.
At School
During the first week of school, Junior (Year 1) and Senior (Year 2) Kindergarten students start on the first day, and attend the full day, along with all other students. Children, along with our Kindergarten staff, go outside in all kinds of weather including: light rain, snow and sunshine. Independence in toileting is highly recommended. This means the child is not wearing diapers and pull-ups, recognizes when they need to use the toilet and completes toileting independently.
Eye health
As many as one in six children have a vision problem. Too often many children go unchecked and they struggle in school.
The Halton District School Board partners with the Ontario Association of Optometrists to provide the Eye See…Eye Learn program. This free program provides Junior Kindergarten students with an eye exam and free glasses, if required. Refer to the video for more information.
Together, we can help every child see their world better.
Find out more about the Eye See…Eye Learn program.
