Make the first day of school the best day for your child

Jet, August 26, 2002

Days are getting shorter, department stores are slashing prices and TV networks are teasing us with previews of the fall lineup. Signs that point to a single, profound truth for parents: The first day of school is just around the corner!

It's certainly a joyful time for moms and dads who have spent the entire summer scrambling for constructive ways to keep idle young brains entertained and educated. But for children who have to say farewell to carefree days and hello to homework, returning to school can be less than stellar.

Yet the beginning of the school year doesn't have to signal the end of the good times. The first day back actually can be the start of a beautiful friendship between your child and education. The following tips can help you make the first day of school the best day for your child.

* ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES. Get your children excited about school. Tell your kids they will see old friends and meet new ones. Remind them about the good times they enjoyed at school in the past. Share your own cherished classroom memories with your children. Talk about the fun activities and privileges they will have this year--school parties, field trips, sitting at the "big kids" lunch table.

* BE OPTIMISTIC, BUT HONEST. Don't build unrealistic expectations about how great school will be, but be optimistic. Tell your son or daughter it's normal to feel nervous about the first day of school, especially if it's a new school. Let your children know that their teachers are there to help them and will try to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible.

* CREATE A BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKLIST. Avoid last-minute surprises by making sure you and your child have everything in order: Is your child registered? Do you know the date and time school starts? Have you filled out all health forms and emergency contact forms that have been sent home? Have you scheduled any needed physical exams?

Does the school provide lunch? Does your child have the books and supplies he or she may need? Do you know the dress code? Does your child have a way to get to and from school, and have you made after-school arrangements?

* EASE INTO A SCHOOL-YEAR ROUTINE. Early wake-up times and bedtimes can be shocks to the system if your children are accustomed to staying up late during the summer. Make the transition less stressful by having your children go to sleep and get up 15 to 30 minutes earlier than the day before until they're back on a school-year schedule.

* GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF LEARNING. Help your children to get back into school-year study habits now by engaging them in fun learning activities. Play educational board games and computer games. Take a trip to the library or bookstore and have them select books they want to read. Encourage them to write and illustrate their own short stories or keep a daily journal.

* VISIT SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD BEFORE THE FIRST DAY. Arrange for you and your child to meet the principal, teachers and staff beforehand to ease first-day anxiety. (Teachers and staff are usually at school a few days before classes start.) Explore the different areas of the classroom and the school grounds. Familiarize your child with the route to the school. If possible, introduce your child to a classmate before the first day so that your child will have a friendly face to look for when school starts.

* REVIEW SAFETY RULES. Accidents and crime are unfortunate parts of life, so it's important for parents to thoroughly review safety rules with children. Have children use the buddy system when traveling to and from school. Consider driving or walking with your child to school, or waiting with your son or daughter until the bus arrives. Make sure your child knows the proper way to cross the street and how to get on and off the bus.

Most importantly, make sure your children know how to handle strangers. Teach them it's OK to say no to unfamiliar adults. Teach your child how to spot trusted adults, such as police officers, crossing guards and mothers with children.