Preparing Your Child for Elementary School

Elementary school is a huge step for your child. Understanding what is expected of your child during his or her first year in elementary school can help your child ease into school without difficulties. Find out all you can so you can both work towards a fun and exciting first year in elementary school.

• Contact your child's elementary school teacher in advance. Remember teachers will be in school a week or two earlier than school starts but they may be very busy getting ready for the school year. It is usually best to make an appointment prior to the end of the school year in April or May depending on the school district you live within. Bring your child with you after you speak with the teacher so your child will see a familiar face on his or her first day at school.
• Help your child ease into expectations. Elementary school will have expectations of their young students. Talk to your child and help him or her understand what these expectations can be. Try to not make these ability expectations difficult be realistic. Encourage your child that he or she will do great in school.
• Prepare your child in advance with fun math, reading, and general elementary school education software programs that will make school work fun. Your child will find school work is not that difficult to do since he or she will have an understanding in advance of what is expected of him or her.
• Confidence building for your child is important in his or her new school journey. Providing your child with acceptable parameters of what your child should see in school will help your son or daughter understand that yelling out answers will not be satisfactory in a class setting.
• Schedule firm bedtimes and meal times for your child. Try to maintain these timelines so your child can easily fit into the new time regiment administered by your child's new school.
• The earlier you start your child's preparation for school the better. Getting your child to talk about school and what fears and joys he or she anticipates will allow you to work with your child to move forward in a encouraging manner.
• If your child has special needs, discuss those needs in advance with your child's new school's teacher and principal. Your child's accommodations are not only important for the school to know but also for your child to know that this is a place he or she can attend without feeling out of place.
• Get involved with open house meetings that usually occur prior to the first day of school. Talk to other parents who may have children who have attended or are attending your child's new elementary school. Discuss programs that may be helpful for your child.

Enjoy your child's new education experience with him or her. Learning new behavioral traits from your child can be very rewarding for both you.