Preparing for School

Summer is almost over! Wow, time flies. You may have noticed that the school supply displays are now up in stores which means it’s time once again to begin preparation for the school year. The Tax Free Weekend is almost upon us (August 7-9) so get your lists ready. The Winston Salem Forsyth County School System has adopted standardized school supply lists for all grade levels that can be found on the school system’s website.

The best way for you to get your child ready for school is to get them excited about it and make sure they feel comfortable. Here are some tips:

• Talk about how fun school is and share stories about your experiences.
• Arrange a tour so your child can become familiar with where things are.
• Attend the school’s open house and have your child meet their teacher.
• Have a picnic lunch at the school’s playground.
• Frequently drive the route that your child will take to school.

There are several books specifically written for Kindergartners to help ease their fears. Here is a sample of books to look for at your local library or bookstore:

• Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
• The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
• Look Out Kindergartner, Here I come! By Nancy Carlson
• Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

When preparing your child for school is it very important to establish a daily routine with plenty of time for homework and sleep. Set aside a specific time of day and a quiet place for homework. Go over the homework with your child to convey the message that education is important for both of you. Preschoolers need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep including their afternoon nap. Lack of sleep does not allow a child’s body to properly rejuvenate itself and may trigger night terrors, so be sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable time.

Preparing for school is a lot of work but very important. Always remember that your attitude about education influences your child greatly so be excited but also be realistic and sincere.