That’s 17 days to cram as much fun as possible into summer while also preparing for the unofficial end of the season and the beginning of another.

Your children’s teachers are already back at work, and they have some words of advice for me and you.

I surveyed current and former classroom teachers, asking how parents can best get their children ready for the new year. And let me tell you: They all have opinions.

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Educators need to speak carefully… 

Some teachers have the gift of language down pat. They know how to use their words in a way that everyone around them feels good about themselves and motivated to do their work. However, there are some teachers out there who let their adult sense of humor and frankness go too far. What one person may think is perfectly acceptable language, another may find rude and hurtful. I asked my education colleagues and members here on TheApple to share quotes they’d heard but wish they hadn’t. Think about your words carefully, because once you’ve spoken, there’s no taking it back.

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Tips for families getting ready for that first day of school:

• Make an appointment to visit the school with your child to turn it into a fun adventure;
• If your school or teacher is in session during the summer, see if you can visit inside the classroom
• Involve your child each step of the way!  Asking them if they would like hot or cold lunch and explain that hot lunch is made at school and cold lunch is made at home and brought to school in a lunch box to eat in the cafeteria;
• If you live near school, do frequent “drive-bys” and point out the school and playground;
• If you can, during off-school time, stop and play on the equipment or practice walking up to the door pretending it is the first day of school;
• Share stories with your child about your days in Kindergarten:  “Mommy used to play on the monkey bars, do you know which one is the monkey bars?”;
• Ask your child questions to get them excited and talking about school;
• If the public is welcome, visit the school and school library, to get your child familiar with the new school layout;
• Check the school schedule to see if they have any summer events coming up that would interest your child and get involved now;
• Find other families that will be attending the school and plan some summer fun together.  If you don’t know anyone at the school, call the school for direction;
• Join the PTO/PTA!  This is a MUST and a great way to build a network of friends at home and school;
• Start reading everyday for 15 minutes with your child – start practicing this now, as this will be a requirement when they begin school;
• Start making those doctor appointments for immunizations, eye and dental visits;
• Make sure your child is familiar with the kindergarten curriculum:  the alphabet mixed up; numbers 0-10 mixed up, basic colors, shapes, coin, counting objects to 10 and how far they can count to 100;
• Practice will make for a great first day of school!

Smiles – Stacey

Stacey Kannenberg
“Ready To Learn Mom”