Because kindergarten is the beginning of official education for many children and will often be the start of a new routine, children and parents need to prepare. For some children kindergarten will be the first time they are separated from a parent or home environment for such an extended period each day.

Parents can lay a solid foundation by preparing the year before the student is to begin school.

If your child has no siblings or is the oldest and first to attend school, this experience can be overwhelming. Children with older siblings who are in school usually have had more exposure to the routine and expectations. They see their older brothers or sisters return each day none worse for the wear! However, depending on the older sibling’s attitude toward school this can also be an obstacle.

Visit the school with your child before the first day. If possible meet the teacher and introduce your child. You will want to collect the following information from the school:

• Enrollment forms and requirements including medical records, immunizations, documentation, and emergency numbers
• Transportation information (bus routes and schedules, drop off and pick up times and location)
• Meal arrangements
• Registration dates and a school year calendar
• After school programs
• Contact information of other staff members, the principal, other parents

Preparing your child for learning in kindergarten is also important. Help your child learn:

• the alphabet
• learn the letters of his or her name
• write letters
• count to 10 or 20
• to memorize your address
• to memorize your phone number
• how to make the sounds of letters
• how to hold books right side up and identify pictures

Reading to your child each day will help develop reading skills. Read your child’s favorite books and talk about the stories and the characters. Ask your child what is happening in the pictures. Preparing your child for learning includes developing enthusiasm for school. Getting a child started on the right foot with the skills they need and a level of comfort about school and excitement for learning can develop attitudes and habits that will carry him or her through their education.

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.

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.

The start of any school year brings mixed emotions for many children. Fear and apprehension are common, as well as excitement and anticipation. Parents-this article is for your child. Although you are welcome to read on, please share this information with them.

1. Clean your room: Trying to get dressed and ready for your first day of a new school year is difficult if your room looks like a tornado came through.

2. Get organized: After that cleaning, organize your space. If you will be doing homework in your room, be sure you have a well-lit and organized place to work.

3. Go shopping: Talk to your parents about some new clothes, and ask about the family budget so you can plan what to buy.

4. Get school supplies: Don’t forget to get the school supply list; the sooner you take care of this, the better.

5. Meet you teacher: Even if you have seen the teacher around the school, you probably haven’t had much interaction with him/her. Make an effort to go to the school and visit with them.

6. Know your surroundings: After meeting your teacher, take a tour of the school. Many times, teachers change rooms, sometimes even grades. This is good information to know beforehand.

7. Get your clothes ready: The night before or earlier if you want, lay out the clothes you want to wear. Make sure everything is clean and that you have everything you need. Doing this the night before keeps you from having to rush around trying to find something to wear.

8. Make your lunch or have lunch money ready the night before: If you are taking your lunch on the first day, try to put things together the night before. This saves time and prevents some of the morning chaos.

9. Pack your backpack: Just like picking out clothes and making lunches the night before, packing your backpack saves time and helps you to feel more “put together.”

10. Ask for help: Your parents can be a valuable source of help and support if you are nervous about going back to school.

Now a note for parents: If this is your child’s first year of school or entering one of the early primary grades, or a new school, don’t let your apprehension show through. Children often gauge their own stress based on how they see adults reacting to situations. Your calm and assured attitude will help them keep their own anxiety in check.

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.