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 he
first day of school is stressful for both children and parents. Whether
your children are starting junior kindergarten, going to a new school,
or simply advancing into the next grade, a little planning can help
to alleviate those first day jitters.
The right tool for the job
- Before school starts, contact the teacher for a list of supplies
that your child will need to begin the year.
- Children are usually proud of their new tools, and are
eager to put them to work. If possible, purchase new, age appropriate
school supplies that they will enjoy using.
If the shoe fits
- Find out what clothes or equipment will be required for
gym classes. Will special running shoes be needed?
- Having this information before the year begins will help you
to avoid unexpected costs later.
Fill out those forms
- Make sure that all the paper work has been taken care
of before school starts. This will help to avoid confusion on
the first day.
- Similarly, ensure that your child has had an annual physical
check-up, including vision screening. Inform the school
in writing if your child has any medical problems.
Scout out the school
- If your child is going to school for the first time, or is moving
to a new school, visit it before classes start.
- Let him see his classroom and if possible meet his
teacher, show him where the washrooms are, and what
the playground is like.
History project due Monday
- Show your child how to use a day-timer or agenda book.
Help her get used to keeping track of tasks that she has completed,
and those yet to be done.
- Avoid electronic day-timers for young children.
It's supposed to be fun!
- Choosing extra curricular activities can be difficult.
- Many children want to join every team and club at the beginning
of the year. When they have to drop something because they are
overloaded, it can leave them with a sense of failure.
- Make sure your child is really interested in the activity
and isn't signing up just to be part of the best team.
- Suggest some non-competitive activities.
Focus
on the future
- Talk to your children about the future. Don't focus on
passing a particular test or assignment, but on their dreams.
Those dreams will ultimately lead them where they want
to go.
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Date published: September 1, 2002 |
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This article was prepared by the 
