You know your child best and play an important role in watching how they grow and ensuring they reach important milestones. Supporting their needs early can help them grow and learn. Before your child starts school:

• Monitor their development with the Looksee Checklist®. Order free copies of the checklists online or by calling 311 .
• If you have concerns about your child’s development, call 311 , contact your health care provider or complete an online request for Children's Developmental Services program.
• Boost your child’s development with these fun, free activities! (external link)
• More information on your child’s development, where to get help if you have concerns, and to get online resources and community supports.

Before starting school, it’s important to make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date (external link) and reported to Halton Region. Your health care provider is not responsible for reporting your immunization record to Halton Region. To report your child’s immunizations or to submit a valid vaccine exemption to Halton Region:

• visit halton.ca/immunize; or
• call 311 ; or
• Mail or drop-off:
  Vaccination Services, Halton Region Public Health
  1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON, L6M 3L1

Having a healthy mouth is important for your child’s overall health and well-being. Problems with their teeth and gums can be painful, and may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. It is important to take your child to the dentist regularly, especially when starting school. Before your child starts school:

• Schedule a dental checkup for your child. There are dental financial assistance programs that can be accessed by families who do not have dental coverage and limited income.
• Teach and help your child with brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.
• Learn what foods and snacks are better for your child's teeth (external link) and try to make them part of your child’s school lunches

Vision problems can affect your child’s learning. Make an appointment with an optometrist to have your child’s eyes checked before they start school. Learn more about eye exams for children.

• Eye examinations are free through OHIP for children under 19.
• Some optometrists offer a free pair of glasses to children in JK or SK if prescribed. Find out more about the Eye See...Eye Learn® program (external link).

In most schools, staff recommend that children be as independent as possible when using the toilet. Both children and parents often find it easier and less stressful to start school when toilet learning is well established. Check with your child’s school or local school board to understand their toileting expectations and procedures.

Helping your 3- or 4-year-old be independent when using the toilet

Preparing your child to be independent when it comes to toileting can sometimes be hard. Each child is different, but most learn to use the toilet between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. With patience and encouragement, you can help your child build independence with their toilet routine. Here are some helpful tips:

• Make going to the toilet part of your child’s routine. Take them to the toilet first thing in the morning, at lunchtime and before bed. Be consistent.
• Dress your child in comfortable clothes that are easy to pull up and down independently.
• Encourage independence as much as possible. Have your child pull down their own pants and help as needed.
• Show your child how to wipe properly and have them practice.
• Encourage your child to stand up, flush the toilet and pull up their own pants.
• Teach your child how to wash and dry their hands after each attempt.
• For tips to help with toilet learning (toilet training), visit Canadian Paediatric Society (external link).

If you have questions about toileting or need support, call 311  to connect with a public health nurse or visit your local EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

Young children like to feel independent and can learn simple self-help activities. As a parent/caregiver, you can help your child develop self-help skills with these tips:

• Break the task into small, simple steps.
• Show them how to do each step first and then take turns helping each other complete the task.
• Use positive praise to encourage them such as “That’s right – first you get your hands wet and then you put on the soap.”
• Make things easy for them. Ensure their clothes are easy to manage, have a stool by the sink, and provide easy to open containers.
• Celebrate their efforts and the learning process, not just the outcome.

If your child can’t do all the skills on the list below, it doesn’t mean they’re not ready for kindergarten. It takes time to develop routines and practice self-help and safety skills.

Self-help and safety skills checklist to practice before your child starts school:

• My child can dress and undress themself.
• My child can go to the bathroom with little or no help.
• My child knows how to wash their hands.
• My child can tell others their full name and address.
• My child knows how to cross the street safely with an adult.
• My child knows how they will get to and from school.
• My child can open and close lunch and snack containers.
• My child can ask an adult for help.

A calm morning routine at home will help you and your child feel positive about the day ahead.

Tips for parents/caregivers on helping with morning routines

• Prepare as much as possible the night before such as making lunches and laying out clothes.
• Try having a visual schedule with photos, clipart or objects that clearly show your child the steps in their morning routine. This can help them understand what is next in the morning routine and build independence with these skills.
• Allow for choices, such as what they would like to eat for breakfast (for example, cereal or eggs?).
• Encourage your child to follow the routine by providing positive specific praise. "Wow you got up and dressed all by yourself! What a great help you are!"

Getting enough sleep helps children manage emotions, follow instructions and stay focused. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that children 3-5 years of age get 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period (this includes naps).

A bedtime routine is an opportunity for you to build and nurture a positive relationship with your child. It also teaches your child the skills they need to relax and adjust from a busy day to restful sleep.

Tips to help your child develop healthy sleep habits

• Set bedtime routines; Have a consistent bedtime and watch for signs of sleepiness.
• Set a goal for your child to have 10-13 hours of uninterrupted sleep (external link).
• Build in physical activity during the day to burn off excess energy.
• Limit screen time one hour before bed to help prepare their brain for sleep.
• Do calm, relaxing activities before bed such as reading, listening to calming music, or lying in bed with your child talking quietly (external link) about their day.
• Close blinds or drapes and keep the lights low.
• Begin bedtime routine for school at least a week before school starts.

Balancing screen time with physical activity is key to supporting your child’s learning and development. Physical activity strengthens muscles, improves coordination, boosts brain skills, and supports social/emotional health. Too much screen use can reduce the amount of time that your child is active.

As your child starts school, set screen time limits so they have time to move and play. The Canadian guidelines recommend that 3-and-4-year-olds:

• Have 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day.
• Have one hour or less per day of sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games).

Tips for parents/caregivers

• Be a good role model – use screens in a healthy way yourself.
• Keep screens out of your child’s bedroom.
• Limit screen time by using screen time controls or parental apps.
• Set screen-free routines and have rules about screen time. Keep mealtimes, playtimes and bedtime screen-free.
• Take your child outside every day to play, explore and be active.
• Choose activities like reading, outdoor play, and crafts – instead of screen time.
• More tips on how to manage screen use with your child.

Packing your child healthy lunches and snacks throughout the day will help them stay energized and focused so they can learn and play.

Tips to make school lunches and snacks easier

• Include a variety of healthy food each day by following the Canada Food Guide (external link). A balanced lunch includes vegetables and fruits, whole grains and protein foods.
• Let your child help plan and pack their snacks and lunch, which can increase their interest in eating it.
• Pack small, healthy, easy to eat items that they can start now and finish later.
• Make foods easy to eat by peeling them or cutting foods into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Find containers that your child can open with little help and have them practice opening and closing them before they start kindergarten. Make it fun by having a picnic or lunch at home using the containers.
• Check your school’s website for guidelines for snacks and lunches, especially around nut-free policies.
• Most schools promote litter less lunches. Pack snacks and lunches in reuseable containers to reduce waste.
• Have realistic expectations of how much your child will eat. It’s okay if they are less hungry on some days than others.

More tips on making healthy school snacks and lunches (external link).

Picky eating is a normal part of a child’s development. It’s how they start to express their independence and discover what foods they like. While it can be frustrating for parents/caregivers, here are some tips to help your child develop healthy eating habits (external link).

Each child has their own unique temperament, which affects how they handle change, show their feelings and connect with others. As a parent/caregiver, it is important to understand:

• your child’s unique temperament (external link) including their potential strengths and challenges
• that there are no good or bad temperaments, just different styles
• that your own temperament can affect how you interact with your child

Understanding your child’s temperament is important when preparing them for school. For example, some children are naturally more energetic, while others may be more cautious or sensitive. Knowing your child’s temperament can help you set realistic expectations, prepare them for school, and work with teachers to create a positive learning experience.

Learn more about understanding your child’s temperament, and how to support them.

Executive function and self-regulation are a child’s "air traffic control system." They are core life skills that your child needs to be successful in school, relationships, and life. These skills are important for learning, as they help children:

• listen to others and follow instructions
• express and manage emotions in positive ways
• communicate needs appropriately
• take turns and share
• get along well with others
• plan ahead and prioritize tasks
• control impulses
• solve problems and complete tasks more easily

Children are not born with self-regulation or executive function skills. These skills develop over time as your child matures. But there are things you can do to help your child develop these skills.

Separation anxiety is a normal part of childhood and looks different for each child. By preschool age (3-5 years) most children can handle separation well. They have had more practice saying goodbye and know you’ll come back. However, during times of change or increased stress, your child may show more intense reactions to separation. This is normal. Being understanding and offering comfort and reassurance can help your child adjust to separating from you when starting school.

Tips to help your child with separation anxiety

• Introduce them to new experiences in a slow and careful manner. Let them know what they can expect and be positive!
• Practise separating. Start by building in short separations with your child by leaving them with a trusted adult in familiar, child-friendly environments.
• Have a walk about at the school they will be attending. Let them play on the playground equipment or perhaps make a visit to the school office or library. Introduce your child to the staff.
• Attend the schools’ kindergarten orientation night – meet potential teachers, the principal and other families.
• Try role playing with your child – play school and make it fun.
• Read about it. There are many books about starting school. Take a trip to your local library and discover the books together with your child.

When you leave

• Always say goodbye. Consider developing a goodbye ritual (blowing kisses, tickling, or singing a goodbye song).
• Show confidence and give lots of praise and acknowledge feelings. “I know you are nervous – mommy was scared too when I started my new job, but I know that you can do this!”
• Exit quickly and without hesitation.

When you pick your child up

• Show them you are happy to see them, greet them with a smile and give them a big hug.
• Tell them you missed them and are happy to see them.
• Allow them to show/tell you about their day before moving onto the next task.

When you meet your child’s teacher let them know that your child may struggle with separating. They are part of your team and want your child to succeed. They will work with you to help them with this transition.