Summer is definitely the finest time of year. But in my house, everyone is always ready for the anticipation and excitement of back to school time. My kids are in 1st and 4th grade (and I also have a preschooler), and I am certain that some of the tricks and techniques I have used throughout the years have helped ensure that my kids love school and to keep my kids reading.
Connect with the teacher: If you are lucky enough to learn who your child’s teacher will be, try to connect with him or her early in the year. I always reach out to my kids’ teachers in the first weeks of school and sit down for a one-on-one chat. Every child is different, and yours surely is. So help your child’s teacher understand those differences (in a positive, friendly way). Do so from the perspective of “partnering” with your child’s teacher to help him be successful in school. Constant communications with teachers is vital to school success.
Connect your child with classmates to be: Ask around to find other kids who will be in your child’s class. If you can arrange playdates before the school year starts to make some early friendships, any anxiety about the first week of school will be much lessened. Most kids care about their friends and free time in school. If you can help smooth the way to some early connections, this time can be much easier.
Show interest in your child and his or her schoolwork: Throughout the year, maintain interest in what your child is doing in school, both academically and in extra-curricular activities. Be sure to ask your child what she is working on in school, and when you see school work well-done, offer praise and encouragement. Resist the urge to be overly critical (but of course, if you have concerns, raise them with your child’s teacher – did I mention the importance of communication?…) Staying connected and aware of what is going on with your child at school is an important part of helping her to maintain a strong sense of confidence and self-esteem with regard to academics.
Listen to your child: Your child will send lots of messages and signals about what is going on in school. If he is bored, getting bullied, having trouble, or doesn’t click with the teacher, at a minimum, you should make sure he knows that you hear him raising the issue, and you are thinking about it. Make time over dinner or some other time in the evening to chat with your child if he is having problems. You won’t always be able to take action about an issue, but do take your child’s complaints seriously and engage him in conversation about what is going on. You are your child’s main advocate at school. If you feel something is not right, be sure to address it with the teacher or others at the school.
Enjoy the excitement and novelty of this time of year – it can be lots of fun! If you can, send your child to school with some new school supplies, a nice pair of socks or some other little goodie to start the year off fresh. And get psyched for the return of routine. Ahhhh….
Tags: earlyreading, back to school, ready for kindergarten, teaching kids to read, kindergarten literacy
