Articles
The 10 best traits successful kids have in common that set them for future success
Published by SchoolAdvisor | Feb 06, 2017
Starting kindergarten is a huge rite of passage for children and their parents.
Children are excited to join the world of older kids who attend elementary school. Parents are often understandably emotional about their child’s transition to formal schooling, and perhaps a bit nervous about their child’s readiness for what will be required of them in the classroom.
Children who do well in kindergarten are ones who are able to:
1. Make their own choices
Children will be given many opportunities in school to make their own choices. They will choose what to play on the playground. They will choose activities and books in the classroom. Children who have been given autonomy at home in developing preferences and making meaningful choices from limited options are able to transfer this skill to the school setting, thereby exerting confidence in making wise choices within the classroom setting.
2. Make connections
Classroom discussions and individual learning are enhanced by students who have the ability to relate events, topics and experiences that they have had outside the classroom to what they are learning about in school. Parents can support the development of making meaningful connections by participating in responsive conversations with their children about what they are doing, experiencing and reading. Parents may point out links, commonalities and contrasts in every day interactions and ask questions that solicit thinking that compares and contrasts information.
3. Self advocate
Children who are able to state their wants and needs in a clear and polite manner tend to transition smoothly to school. Parents can help their children in the long-term by encouraging good manners and discouraging rude behaviour at home. “Yes please” and “No, thank you” are phrases that serve children well as their worlds expand.
4. Take turns and handle disappointment
In school, children will have to wait their turn, and know that they can't always have things their way. When children have had practice at home in learning the important life skills of patience, sportsmanship and understanding that life may not always seem fair, they will have increased success in their transition to school where they will be sharing space and attention with at least 20 other children.
5. Sustain attention
Children are expected to pay attention and listen within the classroom setting. Children who are accustomed to listening to books being read from start to finish and participating in conversations about the book are well prepared for Kindergarten. Parents can support the development of this skill by incorporating reading aloud into their regular routine. Family meals also provide an excellent opportunity to practice sitting still and participating in conversations by taking turns and listening until all participants are finished and ready to move on to the next activity.
6. Cooperatively clean up
In Kindergarten, children collectively clean up their environment, sharing the responsibility of keeping the classroom orderly. Children who know how to help with chores at home bring this skill to school and set a great example for the other students. Parents can help their children develop this positive habit by encouraging family members to pitch in and work together at home to keep the house tidy. Young children can put away their own toys and may also be excellent helpers at setting the table or transporting small piles of folded laundry.
7. Independently dress themselves
When children are able to dress and undress themselves into their shoes and jackets, they would have more time to play and participate in classroom activities. Time spent at home practicing putting on and taking off jackets, shoes, gloves and hats, as well as independently mastering toileting is well spent. Children should also be able to wash their own hands and to open and close lunch/snack bags and containers. Children who have mastered these skills have the advantage of not having to wait for help.
In addition to the traits listed above, I would encourage parents to cultivate the habit of reading books aloud on a daily basis.
8. Enjoy reading books, poetry and rhyme
9. Enjoy exploring and taking risks, to build, create their own fantasies, artwork and ideas.
10. To have a responsive, nurturing relationship with someone who is crazy about them (parents, older siblings) someone who will listen and talk to them about interesting things and who believes that they have the potential to learn and be successful in school.
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