Ten Tips for a Great First Day of School!

Many children are jittery on the first day of school. Listed are ways to prepare your child for the big day!

-Read books about school.

-Talk to other children about school, especially siblings or neighborhood

friends. These "experts" can help answer any questions your child might ask.

-Visit the school and the classroom prior to the first day.

-Introduce your child to the new teacher before the first day of school.

-Use structure to foster independence.

*Establish a regular bedtime at least two weeks before the start of

school.

*Establish an unhurried morning routine to help your child get ready-

and feel ready-to take on the school day.

-Practice the school drop-off and pick-up procedure with your child.

-Play school! Role play imagined school scenes, such as asking restroom

permission or walking quietly in the hall.

-Transitional objects encourage and support the child through the school day.

*Select school supplies together, such as backpacks or lunchboxes.

*Place a family photo or special note inside your child's lunchbox.

-Plan to say good-bye quickly. Children are quick to "pick up" signs of

hesitation by parents and may become upset. MAKE THE SEPARATION CLEAN."

-Take a short time out at the end of the day and discuss your child's big

adventure!

Congratulations! You made it through Day One!

Even the most prepared child may have second thoughts about crossing the threshold of the classroom. He or she may become shy,clingy, or tearful. If a parent anticipates the child may need extra support, discuss your concerns with the teacher BEFORE the first day. Short term support arrangements can be developed between parent, teacher, and other school support personnel, such as the school counselor,should separation difficulties continue beyond the first days of school.

Such arrangements might include:

-Allow the child to bring a "parent surrogate" to school, an object that

provides security to the child, such as a stuffed animal or favorite blanket.

-Arrange to have a friendly face meet your child at the school entrance and escort the student to class. Praise your child for entering the class independently!

Should your child demonstrate distress at separation, keep in mind, most departure behavior ends shortly after the parent departs. Contact your child's teacher later in the day to confirm the length of time your child continues to cry or refuse join the classroom activities. If your child settles down quickly, the chances that departure behavior will improve each day is good, if the parent sticks by the established good-bye routine.

If the teacher reports your child continues to demonstrate distress in ways that impacts your child's participation and enjoyment of the day or is disruptive to the academic environment of fellow classmates, ask for advice from the school on what you ALL can do, as a team, to establish a positive entry into school.

One year or more at school will leave most children feeling more at ease with predictable separations and more confident in their own budding social an cognitive skills. Believe it or not, a week or so into summer vacation, don't be surprised when your child says, "I'm really miss going to school!"

Sheree S. Marty has worked with elementary school children as a school counselor for the past nine years. A physical education teacher for thirteen years, Ms. Marty earned her Master degree in Counseling in 2000. Ms. Marty is the author and owner of "Chinese Jump Rope", a childrens games book and website. For more information, visit http://chinesejumprope.tripod.com

---

School Issues: When Should an ADHD Child Be Held Back In School?

This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't mean to suggest that my comments here are the definitive thoughts on the subject. For a parent... Read More

Parents/Teens and Money ? 5 Ideas for Keeping the Peace

Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices. It can be difficult to find contentment when a newer, better, faster gizmo of the moment hits... Read More

Quality Time with Your Teen

It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with your teen without totally intruding in his/her life. You want to talk to them, they don't want... Read More

Maximizing Your ADHD Childs Performance in School.

As a parent there are lots of things that you can do to help your child with ADHD succeed in school, with friends, and in life. Here... Read More

Raising a Self-Sufficient Teen

Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working with your teen on gradually giving them a sense of independence and ownership of their lives, then... Read More

Safe From Strangers

There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of your young child by a stranger. The fear causes parents to think long and hard about their... Read More

13 Ways to Spend Time with Your Teenage Daughter

The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in that I don't have much time left to spend with her! She's turning 16 in a couple... Read More

A Child Can Make a Difference

Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th, 2000, my daughter and I traveled to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, because of a dream my... Read More

Hurting from the Outside - In: The Rise of Self-harming

Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing trend they are seeing in teens today is, and they are likely to tell you it's the... Read More

Summer Camp Care Packages

Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks forward to it every year. I can't believe next summer will be her last opportunity to go... Read More

The Giving Jar

Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child to give with a happy heart you will raise a child who will never hesitate to lend... Read More

Back to School

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, but the fall and school season is fast approaching. Our son will be beginning his... Read More

Life Lessons in a Glass of Beer

It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that first sip of a cold quality beer I knew it was sure to ease my thirst. However,... Read More

Picky Eaters - The Dawn of Understanding

"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't danced on television." (Erma Bombeck, 1927-1996)Once upon a time not so very long ago, you probably envisioned... Read More

Developing a Fantastic Relationship with Your Child

Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy playing child and shower him with excited hugs and kisses without warning." What's wrong with this picture?I... Read More

Math Facts - Try Some Fun Ways to Learn Them

Memorizing math facts is a necessary part of elementary school. Flash cards and repetitive chanting have their place, but, for my children, were pure drudgery. Frustrated by... Read More

Top Three Ways To Communicate With Your Child

Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain an open line of communication between themselves and their children, regardless of age, there are three quite... Read More

A Mothers Love

Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose golden feathers and sweet voice attracted attention where ever she went. She was not only beautiful but... Read More

Inattentive ADHD: Just Like Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD. In other works we have called this "Space Cadet" style ADHD. These are people that suffer from... Read More

Reincarnation: Sacred Children Series - 1 of 3

Many years ago, my children were raised on the various teachings and concepts of "magic" as I was studying different religions and spiritual beliefs. I had come... Read More

Role Models for Your Teen

By the time your children reach their teens, there is only a limited amount of time left to influence them and get them started in life in... Read More

Let Kids Help

One fantastic way to get your children involved in what they are eating, is to have them help. A great way to start is to let them... Read More

Top Seven Tips To Become A Good Stepmother

Becoming a stepmother can undoubtedly be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, experiences in a woman's life. Every family's circumstances are certainly different in some ways.... Read More

The Secret of Understanding Children

It was a day that I will forever be etched into my being. My husband was out of town visiting his mother and I was parenting my... Read More

Secrets from the Classroom: Avoiding Summer Learning Loss

In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as they packed up their bags for the final time, and began a much awaited summer vacation. For... Read More

Bad Company

Here we will come to know who are the most responsible person to make your child an addicted person & failure.In general we see kids who are... Read More