Preparing for a New School Year
Visit the pediatrician. Find out whether your child needs immunizations or a physical exam. Make an appointment with a pediatrician, if necessary.
Plan transportation and child care. Arrange a carpool and/or after-school care for your child. Even if you don't plan to carpool, gather contact information for neighbors and other parents who may be able to help when needed.
Mark school events on the calendar. Create a master family schedule and add each person's appointments and activities. If you have children at more than one school, plan ahead to make sure a parent is available to attend each open house and family night.
Stock up on school supplies. Besides buying the packet of school supplies from your child's school, get extras of items your child is likely to misplace, such as glue sticks or scissors. Think about the items your child may need while doing homework and keep them in a central location.
Review the rules. Go over some basic school rules with your child. Practice taking turns, sitting quietly while someone else is talking, and following directions. Make sure he understands the rules he'll be expected to follow.
Check in regularly. Ask your child how she feels about starting school. If she's nervous about making new friends, consider arranging a play date with classmates. Talk over any issues she's concerned about, such as nap time or making friends.
Evaluate extracurricular activities. Select fun extracurricular activities that teach new skills, but avoid over scheduling your family or your child. Taking on too many activities can cause anxiety and distract children from schoolwork and may take away from valuable family time.
Meet Teachers and Staff. You will have the opportunity to visit the school before classes start. Take advantage of the time for you and your child to meet his new teacher. Take your child on a tour of the school so he knows how to find his classroom, the playground, and the cafeteria.
Talk with the teacher. Find out whether the teacher prefers to communicate by phone, e-mail, or written notes. Let the teacher know about things in your child's life that may affect her performance, such as health problems, a recent move, or family changes. You might also mention your child's hobbies or special interests.
Make contact with the parent group. Attend every open house and meet-the-teacher event offered. Stop by the parent involvement table for information on joining the PTO-it's a great way to meet other parents with children in the same class and to keep up with what's going on at school. Serving as a room parent or helper in the classroom also allows you the opportunity to be positively involved in your child's school.
Review the Routine
Go over after-school plans. Remind your child when you will pick him up and where he will go if he must stay after school. Do not make false promises to your child. For example, don't tell him you will pick him up before lunch if that is not your intention. Children do better when they know what to expect.
Start getting your child used to a schedule. Start the school bedtime routine a month before school starts. Parents can scale back gradually, having your child go to bed just five or 10 minutes earlier each night. "It takes 30 days to establish a routine, You don't want your child to be too worn out to make it through the day." Include a rest time in your child's day that is similar to the one at school.
Practice Good Nutrition. Work with your child during the summer on making healthy food choices. Prepare lunches with fresh fruit and foods that include protein. Milk or water are good beverage choices. Snacks should be low in sugar and saturated fats.
Help with First Day Jitters. Check out books from the library that help ease jitters about starting school. The Night Before Kindergarten, by Natasha Wing, and The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn are 2 good choices. Speak about school with a positive attitude. Don't feed your child with negative thoughts like: "I know you're going to cry." "I know school is not fun, but everybody has to go." Talk about all the great things your child will get to do and learn. Look forward to the first day with anticipation. Pick out a special set of clothing for the first day of school. Go together to get a backpack and lunch box.
Prepare yourself. You might cry, be strong and don't cry in front of your child. Hold the tears until you're in your car. Make your good-bye brief. Kiss your child, tell them to have a good day and then leave. It is better to allow the teacher the opportunity to help your child transition if they are having a difficult time. Your attitude will help determine your child's ability to adjust to school.
The beginning of the school can be a very exciting time for you and your child. It is your first step toward preparing him(her) for his(her) future and in helping him(her) to be all that you and God have planned for him(her).
