Preparing kids for the first day of school

"Early to bed, early to rise" can make your children "healthy, wealthy and wise," or at least so goes the saying. It's that time of year, and as parents prepare to send their children back to school, state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell offers a few tips:

“Taking young children to their first day of school can be filled with excitement as well as anxiety for both parent and student,” he said. “Parents can take proactive steps that will help ease their children into their new learning environment, help them enjoy school, and increase their love of learning. These attitudes and skills will benefit them throughout their lives.”

· Put the kids to bed early. Elementary-age children could need as much as 10 to 11 hours each night, and a lack of sleep can affect people of all ages' ability to learn, pay attention and maintain a healthy immune system. Don't wait until the night before the first day of school to try a new bedtime/wake-up routine.

· Get them excited about the school year. Create a list of school supplies and shop for them with your children. Adding up the price tags to make sure you're staying in budget allows kids to practice math skills in a real-world setting. Allow children to pick out their clothing for the next day so they feel engaged.

· Stress the importance and value of education — read to young children every day, and make sure they have a quiet, distraction-free study zone.

— Seema Mehta

Comments

[Tiffany Hasker]

Great post! Here are some other ideas to help children start the school year off right:

1. Ask your children what they studied in class today - what they liked and what they learned. Asking questions shows that school is important.

2. When it's time for them to do homework, take a break and spend a few minutes reading a book, magazine or newspaper. Let them see that you are interested in learning.

3. Connect what they are learning to everyday life. For instance, your children can learn fractions and measurements while you prepare your favorite foods together.

There’s a group on Facebook called Help Children Succeed in School, which includes both parents' and teachers' tips. The California Teachers Association also provides resources for parents at http://www.cta.org on how to motivate children and work with teachers to promote learning at home.