All children need to be taught traffic safety and need periodic reminders. Children starting a new school year have often spent several months away from the busy traffic environment that is at many schools and need reminders. Being attentive of the possible dangers and learning or reviewing traffic safety rules can help children stay out of harm’s way.

They need to be taught or reminded of:

• crossing streets
• boarding and exiting buses
• riding bicycles
• awareness in parking lots
• attention to driveways

One of the first lessons children are taught is to look both ways before crossing a street. In addition they need to know to walk on the side facing oncoming traffic. Schools often have traffic lights and crossing guards nearby but as children walk farther they might be on their own when it comes to crossing streets. Kids need to be aware of traffic signs and their meanings also. Whether walking, riding bicycles or in-line skates they need to obey traffic signals and signs.

School buses are a safe mode of transportation. The potential for accidents peaks when children are boarding and exiting buses. Children need to be educated about how to approach, board, exit, and walk around a school bus. Children waiting for a bus need to be taught to stay a safe distance from the curb and never play in or around the street while waiting. They need to be sure the bus has come to a complete stop and the door is open and the driver lets them know it is time to board.

Children must avoid walking in front of, behind, or on the side of a bus while it is loading or unloading or parked. They need to be aware of other cars that are around the bus and never walk between them to get to a bus or after exiting. When exiting, they should stay a minimum of three steps away from the bus and wheels. Belts, hoods, straps, drawstrings and so on need to be fastened or tucked in because they can get caught in bus doors.

If your child or children need to cross the street in front of the bus, teach them to go ahead of the bus on the side of the road or sidewalk for at least 10 steps so the bus driver can see them before crossing. Then they should look both ways for any oncoming traffic before crossing.

by David McLeod

Owner School-Supply-List.com and Elementary School Teacher

David has been teaching elementary school in Central Texas for over 7 years and has over 15 years of experience in online education related websites and blogs.

Though many children today spend their summers (or at least a portion of the time) in some type of school-age childcare program, starting a new school year is still difficult. The following tips can be applied to either situation in order to make the transition a little bit easier.

1. One or two weeks before the start of school, start getting back on schedule. Even if you have been working all summer, chances are, schedules have been a bit more relaxed. If necessary, start waking children up earlier in order to make the earlier bedtime easier.

2. Change meal times at home to reflect the school meal schedule. Often, summers mean staying up later and sleeping in longer, making meal times a bit later. Skip late afternoon snacks; instead, serve dinner a little earlier.

3. Remind your child of the fun times they had at school last year, and how good seeing old friends will be.

4. Most schools send out information before the beginning of school; part of your job as a parent is to pay attention to things such as enrollment deadlines, and back-to-school activities.

5. If your child’s school does not have a “meet the teacher” night (though most do) set up a time when you can come and meet him/her; you should tour the school with your child as well.

6. Purchase school supplies as early as possible. The longer you wait to do this, the higher the chance that some supplies will be sold out.

7. Help your child pack their backpack a night or two before school starts. Doing so adds a sense of security, which helps the adjustment process.

8. Encourage your child to pick out something cute and comfortable to wear. Learning is difficult when clothes are uncomfortable.

9. Empty your schedule as much as possible in order to be able to focus on this sometimes difficult time of year.

10. Remember that “big kids” need support and reassurance just as much as “little kids.”

Have your child make a list of what they enjoyed during the vacation. This will help them appreciate the family time, reflect, and separate the summer from the school year.

by David McLeod

Owner School-Supply-List.com and Elementary School Teacher

David has been teaching elementary school in Central Texas for over 7 years and has over 15 years of experience in online education related websites and blogs.

No matter how you feel the subject, homework is a fact of life for most school children; depending on the teacher and school, homework may start as early as kindergarten. Learning how to manage their work early in life helps your child avoid many problems faced by students who do not learn these skills. Here are some ways you can help.

1. Provide a designated space in the house for homework. The space should be quiet, well-lit and private or semi-private. If you have several children using the same space or computer, create a homework schedule for them.

2. Build time for homework into the daily schedule. Set a time that works best for your child and remain consistent. Different times of day work better for different children; some do better doing their homework earlier in the afternoon, while some have an easier time later in the day (after dinner, for example). While children often need a break immediately after arriving home from school, set the schedule so they are not doing homework at the last minute. Weekend procrastinators are often burning the midnight oil on Sunday evening. Setting a time on Saturday for homework can help prevent this.

3. Set homework rules and be consistent. Work with your child to decide what rules work best. Some parents say no T.V., no eating, etc; however, some children work better with a little noise, such as a radio.

4. Make homework a priority. If your child knows from an early age that homework is important, something that you expect them to do, then managing the work later on will be easier. Giving your children the impression that homework isn’t important could contribute to poor school performance; even if you weren’t the best student, you should still try to stress the importance of education.

5. Be interested in what your child is studying. Simply by showing interest in what they are learning, you encourage your children to achieve. Ask questions (don’t drill), check your child’s homework for errors and encourage them to find the correct answers. Don’t do their homework for them, but do offer support and help if needed.

As mentioned in the first paragraph, homework management skills are a critical component to success in school. Start early and be consistent in order to help your child develop them.

by David McLeod

Owner School-Supply-List.com and Elementary School Teacher

David has been teaching elementary school in Central Texas for over 7 years and has over 15 years of experience in online education related websites and blogs.