Summer is here!

Summer is finally here and in full swing. Swimming pools, barbeques and beach days are a common occurrence. Schedules become looser, bedtimes less strict and the homework arguments cease to exist. But, before you know it, school will be starting again. In order to properly prepare your child for his or her first day of school and avoid August meltdowns, here are some suggestions on how to prepare your child for his or her first day of school:
1) Try to visit your child's school and see the classroom before school starts.
2) Prepare your child for the new experience by explaining what to expect. Explain to them what they will be doing at school, what time you will pick them up and what will happen once school is over. Answer all questions directly and honestly.
3) Go shopping for school supplies and explain to your child how the supplies will be used in school.
4) Read books to your child that talk about daily activities at school and address children's fears about beginning school.
5) Establish a routine involving both the night before a school day as well as morning preparation. Rituals and routines are comforting.
6) Once you tell your child you are leaving, it is important to follow through. Extending the good-bye tends to heighten anxiety rather than relieve it.
7) Never sneak out because this can break the trust between parent ad child and make the second school day even harder.

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