Let’s talk Kindergarten prep with IEPs. Kindergarten can be a difficult transition for learners, parents, and teachers. I’ve been there. Now that my learners are older, these are some things I wish I had known, considered, and remembered when the process began. Whether your learner has an IEP already or not, these tips can be beneficial. So, let’s talk about school and parent considerations and reminders to help you, your learner, and their team have a safe and successful school year.
School Considerations
When meeting with your learner’s school, consider these for 504 Plans and IEPs. Remember that 504 Plans allow for accommodation and related services.
Transition Meetings
If your learner has a Pre-K IEP or any support plan, I recommend requesting a transition meeting between the Pre-K and Kindergarten staff to discuss what is currently happening in Pre-K and what will happen in kindergarten. What is progress? What are barriers? Are there concerns? What has worked? What hasn’t worked?
Accommodations & Services
How do the current accommodations and services translate into the kindergarten classroom? I recommend not removing them because of age, as age doesn’t determine accommodations and services. Still, the transition could require them due to the learner transitioning to a new and often more structured environment.
Tour the School
Ask to tour the school. Even if you know the school and the district, ask where your learner could go for general education, special education, related services, and specials (Art, Math, PE, STEAM, etc.).
Core Standards
Always start with academic goals that align with the core curriculum standards. This prevents parents and the school from limiting students’ learning before they even get started. Allow kindergarten assessments and data collection to determine academic goals.
Kindergarten Enrollment
Ultimately, you need to know what the kindergarten environment is like. What does the schedule look like? How many transitions will there be? Is toileting assistance needed, and what will that be like?
Parent Considerations
These are considerations that I recommend for all parents who have a Kindergartener entering the school system.
Drop Off / Pick Up
Is your learner a car rider, walker, or bus rider? What does that time look like for them? Can an unfamiliar person take them in? How do they do with being rushed? Car lines can be hectic.
Appointments
Does your learner have private-related services (i.e., speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, etc.)? What time will not disrupt their schedule? What needs to occur to help them successfully transition from school to the appointment and back to school (at the beginning, middle, and end of the day)?
Transitions
Are transitions a struggle? If so, which transitions are a struggle? What helps support them during the transition (i.e., sensory items, extra time, lower demands, choices, minimally speaking, not being verbal, etc.)? How do you help them transition at home and from task to task?
Communication
How do they communicate (i.e., verbally, vocally, gestures, sign language, an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device (AAC), or all of the above!)? Are there times when communication is a struggle? What form of communication works best when they are dysregulated? Is an assistive technology (AT) evaluation needed for them to access an AAC device?
Adaptive Daily Living Skills (ADLs)
What daily skills do they require assistance with? Are there any concerns with toileting? Are there any issues with opening items, buttoning, zipping, tying shoes, etc.?
Reminders
You can request a special education evaluation for your learners before entering Kindergarten. If your learner is on an IEP in Pre-K, request a transition meeting with the current Pre-K staff and future Kindergarten staff to facilitate a smoother transition. Think about sensory, executive functioning, and communication needs. Document concerns, questions, strengths, and barriers in writing. Communicate with the team and collaboratively create a plan to support your learner.
Kindergarten can be scary for the learner, but we parents often stress ourselves more. There are plans and supports to help guide you through it. We’ve been there, and you will get through it!
About the Author – Destiny Huff
Destiny is the proud wife of an Army Armor Officer and the former military brat of a Retired CSM who served 27 years in the U.S. Army. She is late-diagnosed Autistic and ADHD, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapist, and Certified Supervisor who has worked with military service members and their families as a mental health professional.
Destiny received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Science in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Valdosta State University. She recently successfully defended her dissertation, Exploring Therapists’ Use of Bibliotherapy Strategy for Military Children, at Walden University for her PhD in General Psychology.
In 2022, Destiny received a crash course in special education and IEPs when her oldest son was diagnosed with Autism. After advocating early on for her youngest son, who has a Speech Delay, she learned the importance of having to advocate in the school setting. Destiny became a Special Education Parent Advocate and Master IEP Coach to help other families advocate for their children and prevent them from going through what her family went through.
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