Imagine a School Day.
Head to your local library and read some "first day of school" type books or books where the main setting is at a school. As your child to imagine their school and what it would be like. Ask your child what they are excited about. If you or your child is nervous, talk about those feelings too.
If you have the opportunity to visit your classroom before the first day, make believe with your child that they are in school and you are the teacher. The more comfortable kids are with the concept of school the easier it will be to try new things at school.
Get into a Routine.
Kids thrive on routine--- knowing when to get up, what time to do homework, when dinner is-- helps them build a schedule that gets them through their day with ease. Be sure to include reading with your children (including looking at pictures and talking about them) as part of your routine. According to the US Department of Education, children learn more vocabulary and do better in school when their parents read with them regularly.
Get some sleep.
Studies show that children who have consistent bed times scored better on cognitive tests throughout grade school and have more positive social interactions. So pick a bedtime routine and try to stick with it. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 10 to 11 hours of sleep every night for grade schoolers, 11 to 13 hours for preschoolers, and 12 to 14 hours for 1 to 3 year olds.
