Tips for starting the school year

• Develop a routine. Get kids to bed early one week before school start.
• Get yourself up and ready before your children wake up in the morning.
• Breakfast is crucial for learning.
• Avoid negative actions such as yelling when preparing for school.
• State your expectations for school. School work is important, follow school rules and complete homework and assignments.
• Talk about feelings. Ask your child how he/she feels. Let them know their feelings are okay to have. Restate your expectations.
• Watch your own feelings. Even though a parent may feel sad, the parent should not show strong emotion, such as crying, to the child.
• Be confident when you say goodbye. Assure the child that the teacher will take care of him/her during the day. Turn and walk out the door and don’t look back.
• Expect tears or misbehavior after school. When children get home, they let down. Give them down time after school.
• Start a homework routine right away. Find a quiet space to work at a regular time each day.

Know the answers to the following questions

• Does you child know his teacher’s name?
• What clothes will you child need to wear? Does you child have proper shoes for gym?
• Can they have water bottles?
• Have you reviewed safety rules?
• What is lunch? Can your child buy lunch at school? How much money do they need?
• Does your child have supplies?
• Have you completed registration and health forms?
• Does your child know where to go after school?
• Does your child have your work and/or home phone numbers?

Books to read with your kids:

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
• Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
• All Alone After School by Muriel Stanek
• Arthur Goes to School by Marc Brown