Prepping for JK - Plan for the First Day of School

Just a few days until E begins JK (first full day is Thursday Sept. 7) and we're getting ready! Here's a list of things I've heard work for kids in other families and that I hope will be beneficial for us!

1. Create School Day/Night Routines with your kids. Talk through everything you both think will need to get done each day. Here is a copy of our at home routines for school days and nights.


2. Practice the whole Morning Routine including a pretend drop off (visit the playground).


3. Label all their belongings that are being sent to school.


4. Give your child choices of something special to wear on their first day.


5. Print out First Day of School sign for morning photo (see below). 


6. Have a Back to School talk with your kids.

• Answer any questions your kid still has, reassure them if necessary
• Remind them of their teacher’s name, and who will meet them after school/from the bus
• Talk about manners and classroom expectations
• Review hygiene issues (blowing nose, Cover & Cough using elbow, Flush & Wash)
• Get them excited about school and explain all the fun things that happen there

I had a hard time finding free printable options for First Day of Junior Kindergarten signs. Much of the free printables are geared towards other school systems. I did find two options though: Option 1 / Option 2.

I chose the second option and edited the pdf to include the school year 2017-2018 on it when printed instead of using a pen/marker and writing it on by hand.

Best of luck to all the kids starting school for the first time this year!!

Check out Part 1: Prepping for JK - The Year Before and Part 2: Prepping for JK - Over the Summer!