Parent Tips for the Start of School

Before school starts:

• Set a routine for waking, eating breakfast, dressing, going to bed and sleeping.
• Help your child express feelings to let you know how he/she feels about going to school.
• Take your child to meet the teacher at the new school. Show your child the route to take from the classroom to the cafeteria, to the bathroom, etc.
• Remind your child that people at the school know how to get in touch with you and that someone in the office has your emergency numbers.
• Visit the park/playground at your child’s school.
• Feel confident about your school choice and let your child know how you feel.
• Set up a meeting with the school principal to ask any questions that you may have.
• Shop for practical clothing that your child can manage alone.
• Make sure that transportation plans to and from school are clear to your child.

After school starts:

• Communicate with your child’s teacher about lunch procedures, rest times, routines, etc., and tell your child.
• Try to be accessible, helpful and available to your child’s teacher.
• If you have concerns, talk to your child’s teacher.
• Try to have a calm start to each day.
• Help empower your child. On the first day of school, allow your child to pick out his/her own clothes, lunch box and backpack. Let your child decide what to have for lunch.

Things to remember:

• Your child may be emotionally and physically exhausted for the first six weeks. Allow time for your child to adjust.
• Help your child learn the new “rules” at school and reassure that it is acceptable to make a mistake.
• Ask open-ended questions about their school day.

A child’s first entry into school is an exciting new adventure for both child and parent. A child’s smile that says “learning is fun” is a great reward to both parents and educators. Remember, you are your child’s first and best advocate!

Five things to ask your kids instead of "How as school"?

What made you smile today?

Who did you wit with at lunch?

If you could change one thing about today what would it be?

What was the hardest rule to follow today?

Tell me something you didn't know today that you didn't know yesterday?