Starting Kindergarten: Essential Tips to Prepare Your Child for Big School!

Around the age of 6, the transition from preschool to first grade marks a significant milestone in a child’s educational journey. Entering elementary school often means a new setting and a different pace. This is the symbolic entry into the big kids’ league, as well as the start of key lessons: learning to read, write, and calculate, while also encountering the first homework assignments and tests.

At What Age Does a Child Start First Grade?

Typically, children begin first grade at age 6. According to the Department of Education’s website, “children are enrolled in elementary school at the start of the school year during the calendar year they turn 6 years old.”

How to Prepare Your Child for Starting First Grade?

Some children may feel anxious about starting first grade. Therefore, it’s crucial to gently prepare your child for this new environment before the school year begins. Start by showing them their new school and walking the route from home to school together if necessary. Describe a typical day in a first-grade classroom, discuss the new things they will encounter (the basic curriculum, the benefits of their new school, extracurricular activities, etc.). To reassure them, listen to their concerns and remind them that they will see their friends again. Before school starts, establish a sleep schedule suitable for school days and help them organize their backpack with new school supplies.

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What is the First Day of First Grade Like?

The first day of first grade is a special day focused on observation and adjustment. Typically, students are welcomed into the classroom in the morning, sometimes accompanied by their parents. Each student’s desk, complete with their name and activity sheets, is prepared in advance. Parents can fill out an information sheet about their child at this time. After parents leave, the children settle in, and the teacher introduces themselves and explains the classroom and school rules. The day proceeds with discussions about the school, the materials they brought, the upcoming organization, and planned projects. Afterward, there’s time for recess, lunch break, and usually, the afternoon is filled with initial activities.

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What is the Purpose of the Back-to-School Meeting in First Grade?

Following the return to school, a back-to-school meeting for first grade is typically held between the parents and the teacher, either during the first week of school or in the second week. During this meeting, the teacher discusses various topics with the attending parents: an introduction to the classroom and teacher, the first-grade curriculum, evaluations, a typical day in class, and general operations (communication in case of absences, the purpose of each notebook, etc.). This meeting primarily serves as a forum for exchange, where parents can ask the teacher additional questions.

What is the First Grade Curriculum?

In first grade, the curriculum focuses on learning to read, write, and understand the French language, as well as understanding and working with numbers. Young students will spend two hours a day reading. Your child will progressively read better and understand what they read. In mathematics, they will learn to count up to 100 and will study the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), which will be further developed in subsequent grades. Art, music, and physical education are also covered this year.

Regarding evaluations in first grade, students will be assessed on their skills and knowledge. There are evaluations in French and mathematics. These are conducted in two phases, the first evaluations are held from Monday, September 7, 2026, to Friday, September 18, 2026, and the second from Monday, January 11, 2027, to Friday, January 22, 2027.