Welcome to kindergarten

Parents can support their child’s growth and development by providing healthy food choices. Inspire curiosity about food through fun learning and food exploration. Learn more about how to pack nutritious school snacks and lunches, PDF (Ontario Dietitians in Public Health).

Healthy teeth and gums are important as your child grows. Healthy smiles support good speech, healthy eating habits, and social skills. Encourage your child to have good oral health for life by brushing daily, flossing daily, and eating nutritious meals and snacks.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts offers financial assistance programs for oral health services for children as well as free dental screening in schools which includes children in kindergarten.

Vaccines protect children from serious diseases. In accordance with Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act, all children enrolled in primary and secondary school are required to show proof of immunization or appropriate exemption documents for 9 designated diseases. Parents and caregivers should check if their child’s immunizations are up to date. Public Health can review the records with you and help get your child up-to-date with their vaccinations. Read the Ontario’s routine immunization schedule (Ontario Government) to see if your child is up-to-date. If children are overdue for any vaccine, you can make arrangements with a healthcare provider or book an appointment with Public Health to have your children immunized.

Parents and caregivers are responsible for reporting all immunizations to Public Health Sudbury & Districts. ICON is a web-based service provided by the Ministry of Health that allows parents and caregivers to submit immunization information for their children. You may also call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 458 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200) for any questions or support regarding your child’s immunizations.

Much like adults, children can have stress too. Positive connections and relationships are essential for children’s ability to develop resiliency and the skills to meet life’s challenges and flourish. Caring adults play an important role in children’s lives and the presence of at least one supportive relationship (PDF, Center on the Developing Child – Harvard University) is an essential building block for resilience. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or other caring adult, you can have a powerful impact on the children and youth in your life.

Try some everyday mental health activities (School Mental Health Ontario) to support your child.

It’s all about play and having fun! Active play is important to children’s physical and mental health because it allows them to develop social skills, problem-solving skills, creativity, and movement skills that begin their physical literacy journey. Physical literacy plays an important role in your child’s first year of school. In Ontario, it’s part of the curriculum.

During this stage of life children should spend at least 180 minutes (3 hours) doing a wide variety of physical activity throughout the day. Building up to at least 60 minutes of energetic play such as running, jumping, catching and kicking as per the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines.

You can help your child be physically active by providing them with opportunities to develop their small muscles (e.g. making puzzles, playing with building blocks, creating art with paint or crayons) and large muscles (e.g. cycling, climbing, running). Learn more about physical activity during the early years and for children and youth.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing the spread of viruses. Hands spread an estimated 80% of infections like the common cold. Get into the habit of washing your hands frequently, especially when returning home from public spaces, before snacks, and meals. Effective handwashing means using warm water and soap, lathering for at least 15 seconds paying attention to fingernails and fingertips, and drying off. Teaching kids to sing a short song while lathering can help ensure they lather for long enough.

Some people may be infected with a virus and not appear sick even though they can still pass germs on to others. We all have a role to play in stopping the spread of infections by following preventive measures.

Sedentary behaviour is the time when children are doing very little physical movement, such as when they are restrained in a stroller or car seat, sitting for long periods, or engaging in screen time (e.g. watching TV, using a computer, mobile devise such as a tablet or phone).

Too much screen time can have negative impacts of children’s health (e.g. cognitive abilities, language development) and take away from healthy behaviours (e.g. being active, quality sleep) and spending quality time with friends and family. For children in kindergarten, ages 2-4, the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology recommend no more than 1 hour of screen time per day. When spending sedentary time with children consider engaging in non-screen activities, such as reading, storytelling, singing, and making crafts or puzzles. Set goals to reduce your family’s screen-time that works for your family, and you will all feel the benefits.

Children between the ages of 3 and 4 years of age should get about 10 to 13 hours of good-quality sleep, which may include a nap, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times. At this age, sleepwalking and night terrors peak (Sleep on it!). Having a relaxing and consistent bedtime routine can help reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares.

Children ages 5 to 13 years of age need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep. At this age, children have pressure from school, sports, and other activities. Their interest in TV, computers, video games, and social media increases which can make it harder to fall asleep. It is important to teach children about healthy sleep habits as they become more independent.

Your child will need well-developed communication skills (Eastern Ontario Health Unit) when it’s time to start going to school. These communication skills will support them in learning, reading, writing, and making new friends. Parents and caregivers play an important part in children’s ongoing communication development. Creating connections through playing, talking, and listening will support your child as they build the necessary skills to succeed in school.

Being patient is key when beginning toilet training. Most children are ready to begin toilet training when they are between 2 and 4 years old. Your child is ready to use the toilet when they can:

• communicate to you that they need to use the bathroom
• follow simple directions
• stay dry in their diaper for several hours in a row
• let you know or recognize when they’re peeing or having a bowel movement
• be ready to learn or when they want to be independent

Develop a plan with your child, practice often, provide praise, and be patient with your child. It’s important that everyone is consistent and working together. Learn more about toileting and useful tools (Caring for Kids).

We all want to encourage active transportation (e.g. walking, cycling, or skateboarding to school), so let’s ensure this is done in a safe and enjoyable manner. It is important to teach children how to cross the road safely and what to wear near roadsides (helmets for cycling and reflective equipment for visibility). Let’s equip them with the tools required to get there safely, regardless of their method of transportation.

The Ottawa Safety Council have free interactive modules that your child can do to learn appropriate road behavior for their age group.

For more information on road safety, you can visit our road safety website page.

Vision problems may interfere with children’s learning and social development. Regular eye exams are important to detect and correct vision problems early. Public Health Sudbury & Districts offers vision screening in schools to children in senior kindergarten. The vision screening program is geared towards school-aged children to support optimal visual health.

Communicable diseases and immunizations

• Diseases and infections up-to-date information online where you can search from letters A-Z
• Video tvo kids: Kindergarten vaccination
• Parent guide to vaccination (Government of Canada)
• CARD system: Strategies to help cope before and during vaccinations (About Kids Health)
• Vaccine preventable diseases: Caring for kids
• Parents and guardians (COVID-19)

Preventing the spread of viruses

• An Ounce of Prevention Manual (PDF, 4.01 MB) is an excellent resource to help prevent and control the spread of illness in schools.
• Handwashing tips to support healthy handwashing habits throughout the day.

Caregiver support

• Caregiver & Family Engagement by Compass focuses an active partnership between families and service providers. It provides programs led by professionals and family-led support/programs.
• Caregiver Skill Building by Compass provide helpful strategies to reduce an undesirable behaviour or increase a desirable behaviour. This program can help develop a morning routine or equip caregivers with supporting their child with various concerns, for example, separation anxiety.

Other helpful resources

• Welcome to Kindergarten support through play-based learning.
• EarlyON Centres (City of Greater Sudbury): Free family programs for children aged 0-6.
• For parents and caregivers (City of Greater Sudbury): Childcare and EarlyON information for families.
• School Readiness (PDF) information booklet from the City of Greater Sudbury.
• Choosing a school and registering your child: January 2020 (City of Greater Sudbury).