Aug. 14 is the first day
One week.
That鈥檚 all that is left until the first day of school 鈥 Wednesday, Aug. 14. And there鈥檚 no bigger day than the first day of pre-K or kindergarten.
So now is the time to make sure your little learner is ready. Here are five tips to help you and your child get ready for the first day.
1) Early to bed
Starting school for the first time is a big adjustment for you and your child, but building routines at home will help you and your child feel more comfortable starting the school year.
One of the most important routines to establish is 鈥渆arly to bed鈥 and 鈥渟chool wake-up time.鈥 If you haven鈥檛 started this already, start now so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule. Making sure your child gets enough sleep is crucial.
2) Prep the day before听
Make sure you鈥檙e all ready to go to school the night before. You don鈥檛 want to have to scramble to get everything ready in the morning when you鈥檙e trying to get out the door. So, have the backpack ready, clothes picked out and breakfast planned the night before. The more prepared you can be the better.
3) Make it fun
Make the first day like it鈥檚 an occasion 鈥 because it is. Show your child that this is a big and exciting thing. Be ready to take photos and make that 鈥渇irst day of school鈥 picture sign. If you post the photos online, be sure to use the hashtag听#ArlingtonISDWelcomesMe. We鈥檇 love to feature your child, too.
4) Read books about going to school
Help your child know what to expect by reading books about the first day of school. There are lots of them, and the library is sure to have some.
鈥淭here are plenty of books about first days at school,鈥 said Ken Foster, an early childhood learning specialist for 91制片厂. 鈥淢y favorite is Eric Litwin鈥檚 鈥楶ete the Cat: Rockin鈥 in my School Shoes.鈥欌
5) Drive by the school and go to Meet-the-Teacher
Find time to drive by the school and point it out to your child. Be excited and let your child know that this is an exciting place where they will make new friends and learn so many fun things.
And be sure to go to the Meet-the-Teacher event at your child鈥檚 school. If you don鈥檛 know when it is, check your school鈥檚 webpage or give them a call. This will be a great chance for you and your child to see the building and classroom and meet the teacher.
Are you registered?
If you haven鈥檛 registered your child for pre-K or kindergarten yet, it鈥檚 not too late. But don鈥檛 wait because school starts in one week! Start the registration process online听here.
Have a great first day!