September 1, 2009

Susan Stainsby

Start the year off right with tips from a teacher and some great resources to help you get started.

Backpacks, school supplies, bus schedules, and after-school activities. Those are just some of the things you think about when gearing up your child for a new school year. But what are the most important things parents should focus on?

Well, I decided to go straight to an expert. Catlyn Caldart is a teacher in the Lake Washington school district near Seattle. She finds ways to engage a classroom of squirmy and enthusiastic students every day. I can testify that she does a fantastic job: One of those squirmy kids lives in my home.

So when I asked Catlyn ("Ms. Caldart" to those young whippersnappers) what are the five most important things a parent can do to prepare their child for a successful school year, she eagerly responded. (After all, this makes her job easier!)

Tip 1: Read

"It's one of the best ways to keep a child's mind sharp when he or she is not in school," says Catlyn.

One activity that I enjoy doing with my kids is spending an afternoon at our local library or bookstore. Both of my kids were really excited to get their own library cards, too.

If you are looking for some great book ideas to fill out your kid’s reading list, here are some great resources:

• 2009 Notable Children's Books, American Library Association (ALA)
• Best Books for Young Adults, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

Tip 2: Make sure your child gets enough sleep

Sleep experts from the National Sleep Foundation say that kids need their rest to perform well at school. Follow their practical tips for setting your kids’ back-to-school sleep clocks at least two weeks before the school year begins.

"So many students come back to school — and sometimes remain this way throughout the school year! — on the same sleep schedule they had during the summer," Catlyn says.

Tip 3: Emphasize the positive

"Kids pick up on your attitude," Catlyn explains. "If you complain about shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies, they'll pick up on it. If you speak negatively about your child's teacher, they will start the year thinking negatively about him or her."

For me, part of the fun of parenting is trying to figure out what excites my kids. I want them to understand that learning isn't a "job" that ends on a graduation day; it's something that we all do every day for life and it is enjoyable!

Here are just a few cool (and free!) resources that you can use to engage your kids at home and have some fun along the way:

• Play number mazes, Sudoku, Tic-Tac-Toe, and crossword puzzles
• Create your own stickers
• Learn geography
• Make bookmarks
• Create snowflakes, dolls, and airplanes
• Make money from lemons and other cool projects
• Learn technology by playing games
• Learn computer programming in a 3-D environment

As your kids grow older and want to learn more about using a computer, encourage them to go through some of the beginner-level feature demos and training for Office. They contain lots of great information for parents and teachers, too!

Tip 4: Don't wear them out!

"Kids who are signed up for five different summer camps, tutoring, piano lessons, and ballet will never get the 'break' that comes with summer break!" Catlyn says. "Give them downtime. Let them play. Let them sit around and say 'I'm bored' every once in a while."

This is great advice that can be applied year-round. In our home, we limit our kids to one extracurricular activity at a time during the school year. As they get older, maybe they'll show that they can handle more or less than that. Most importantly, I want my kids to know that school is their main priority and biggest responsibility.

Knowing that my kids enjoy sports and other activities, I try to optimize all of our time by staying organized:

• 2009 – 2010 academic calendars
• Weekly homework schedule template
• Snack schedule for sports teams
• Community sports emergency contact list

Tip 5: Practice handwriting and spelling

"Kids who don’t write during the summer have to relearn to write (and spell) when school starts," Catlyn says. "If anything, have them write two sentences about what they've done that day. Correct the spelling and ask for neat handwriting. Before your child starts kindergarten, it would be GREAT if they could write their name correctly, know their numbers to 20, say the alphabet (and letter sounds), and know basic shapes and colors. This will make everything easier!"

Finding ways to get kids to practice their writing and spelling is a lot easier than finding creative ways to sneak vegetables into their diet. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

• Practice writing by making lists or writing letters to friends and relatives
• Encourage kids to write thank you notes
• Teach your kids how to write and send an e-mail message
• Have your kids help you put together a family newsletter or blog
• Encourage your kids to keep a journal

About the author

Susan Stainsby has worked at Microsoft since 2002 and is currently a site manager for Office Online. Outside of the office, she loves to hang out with her family, volunteer at her kids' schools, read, and run long distances.