This Mom’s Hack For Getting Your To Child Ready For Lunch As A Kindergartner Is Pure Genius
They’ve graduated pre-school, and they are about to head off to the big time — ELEMENTARY school!
Kindergarten can be a scary place — it’s something moms everywhere dread, and it can be totally intimidating to your not-so-little kid.
There are things you can do to prepare your child for that first exciting day of life in the big new school.
Buy them all those new school clothes, show them how to use a backpack, let them help you pick out their school supplies, and take them to meet the teacher before school starts.
One of the most IMPORTANT things, which you may not even think about, is getting your little one ready to eat out of a lunch box for the first time.
This is something that we totally take for granted — we just always do it, and it’s no big deal.
But, to that little child who is already experiencing those first-day jitters and fears, that lunch box can be a huge unnerving thing.
Not only do they have to figure out how to open everything, they now have to eat within a certain window of time, something they probably aren’t used to.
So, this mom’s GREAT idea is to have several trial runs with the lunch box before they have to take it to school for the first time.
Mom, Julie posted on Facebook with a genius way to get our kindergarten babies ready for school.
PSA for all soon-to-be kindergarten mamas…Practice eating “school lunch” with your kiddo. Make sure they can open everything you send with them. Talk about not eating off of the table in the lunchroom!!! Set a timer for 15 minutes and talk about how they may not finish eating and that’s ok. (This was HARD for little man.)
Julie New Harbaugh
Also, don’t just assume they know what is supposed to be thrown in the trash, and what should make it home with them inside their lunchbox — they’ve never had to sort out trash before, and they AREN’T going to get it right without some guidance.
Make sure they know how to open and close all the storage containers and bags that you pack for them. Heck, I have problems with those containers half the time!
Practice, practice, practice! It may seem a bit tedious to you, but it will make a world of difference for you kiddo.
Make it a game, and your child will not only enjoy practicing, but they will be all set for that first day of school.
Kindergarten lunch is a big adjustment and your child’s teacher will be super appreciative if you have prepared them for the experience!
Julie New Harbaugh