Kindergarten is back!
With kindergarten officially back in session, many little Aussies took their first tentative steps through the school gates.
The first day for a new kindergarten student can be exciting for both the parent and child. It can also be a daunting experience! Over the last week, all parents would likely have been feeling a mix of various emotions!
With the help of Brent Hughes from Matific and Matific Galaxy, we’ve pulled together six playful (but let’s face it, very likely) ‘kindergarten drop off’ parents that you are likely to encounter.
But, which one do you identify with most? And can we take pointers from each?
The Crier
The first day of school is filled with many emotions for some parents. It’s the day that their eldest (or sometimes only) child reaches another milestone in their life. Starting kindergarten.
Everyone would know a parent or carer that is notoriously known as “The Crier”.
This parent is a blubbering mess as they enter the gates. Carrying their child, as teachers encourage the parent to let go and leave. But, undoubtedly, they always stick around longer than they should.
They leave in another blubbering mess, being consoled by other parents (usually the seasoned professionals).
The Seasoned Professional
This is the parent that has been through it all before!
This seasoned professional has no trouble with completing the school drop off and is always cool, calm and collected. They are the envy of the other parents, who wonder – how do they do it?!
The child’s uniform has been ironed. They are showered. Impeccably dressed and ready to tackle their role as Head of the PTA for another year.
You know that this child has already been set-up with the latest subscriptions to the best online learning resources including Matific Galaxy, helping boost confidence throughout the year.
This is the parent you want to befriend, because you know, if you ever need support, they will be available.
The Control Freak
Matching bag, pencil case, lunch box and drink bottle.
Each labelled with the child’s full name, shoes polished to the point of reflection and hair perfectly sleeked back, so nothing is out of place.
This kid in kindergarten, clearly belongs to the control freak parent. The one that is already speaking to the teacher about homework expectations and checking everything off their list.
You can smell the sanitiser as this parent walks past, and you know that structure and routine are key for that family.
The Scrambler
The elusive parent that no one seems to meet on the first day. They arrive 45 minutes late, child following behind still eating their toast for breakfast as they enter the gates.
This parent has tried to be the organised one and everything under control. However, the child’s uniform still has the creases in it. Still rushing around, noticeably distressed that the day has not run smoothly as they would’ve hoped.
The Celebrator
Did someone say bottomless brunch? Some parents can’t wait to see their little ones walk through those school gates and start their new adventure at kindergarten! They have dropped their child off and once they are settled, they gather the troops to go and celebrate.
They can be spotted from a mile away… While all the other parents are waiting to have their morning coffee to perk up.
This parent has a grin from ear to ear because this is the day that they can finally say “It’s their problem now” before rushing to get home.
Author Bio
Matific is part of global educational technology company whose founders include top Australian businessman Leon Kamenev, who has launched a number of high-profile online companies including Menulog and HotelClub.
The aim of Matific is to make maths fun and engaging for all students.
The new Matific Galaxy App will launch in May 2018 to introduce a new, fun, and simple way of approaching maths that simultaneously helps young students develop a lifelong appreciation for the subject and its applications.
The Matific resource, which is currently in 45 countries and translated into 26 languages, has been getting excellent results and making inroads in both the New Zealand and Australian education systems.
The 2014/2015 TIMSS findings revealed both countries’ primary maths standards were slipping, sitting at 491 and 517 respectively.
Given the decline in numeracy standards in New Zealand and Australia, highlighted by PISA and TIMSS. Matific is committed to supporting primary school teachers in the classroom and helping students engage with maths from an early age.
Where to from here?
If you have past the adorable kindy stage and are dealing with a fully fledged school kid, check out our ‘5 Tips for Getting Through Term 1 with a Preppie‘.
For more tips, tricks, blogs and advice, head to Education + Learning & Raising Kids