Spelling Success for Back to School

By Kayla Fay





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Back to school. Whether you approach this time of year with anticipation
or dread, it's about to happen. New teachers and classes, different
rules and expectations, leave children and parents overwhelmed with
excitement and anxiety. Below are six ways to send your child back to
school with success.

SUPPLIES - Most schools provide a list of essentials for each child to
bring on the first day of class. Make sure your child has exactly what
is requested, and save enough cash for those supply needs that crop up
the first week of class. Stock up on all types of paper, writing
utensils, art supplies, notebooks and folders during the back to school
sales. Gather an assortment of calculators and reference books. There is
nothing that gives confidence like the satisfaction of having just the
right tool for the job. (Email me at supplies@... for the
comprehensive list of supplies we keep on hand at our home.)

COMMUNICATION - While summer is still in session, visit the school and
meet the secretary and principal. Limit yourself to brief introductions,
but offer your support to help make a great school year. Leave your
name, telephone and email so the school can contact you if they need
help. The first week of school, write the teacher a letter introducing
your child, and briefly listing strengths and weaknesses. Share
important information such as family situation and medical needs.
Finally, tell the teacher you would like to meet during the second month
of school to strategize ways to work together for your child's
education.

HABITS - Children usually crave routine. A couple of weeks before
school, transition children to the schedule they will follow once the
year begins. Send them to bed and have them get up earlier. Adjust
mealtimes. Once school begins, quickly establish routines for homework
and chores. Make it a habit to prepare the next day's clothes, lunches,
and school gear each evening.

ORIENTATION - Familiarize your child with the all the places she will be
during the school day. Follow the bus or car pool route. Arrange a visit
to the school before the first day. Practice the route into the
building. Find the bathrooms, the library, and the lunchroom. If your
child is in middle or high school, let them walk their schedule until
they feel comfortable. See if there are volunteer opportunities that
will help your teen to feel more at home in the maze of corridors that
line most campuses.

ORGANIZATION - Buy into the adage "a place for everything, and
everything in its place". A two drawer file cabinet works well as a
center to organize a child's school/home communication, backpacks,
shoes, and homework. Each afternoon, school gear and shoes go in. Before
bed, add clothes, bookbag, notes and homework for the next day. In the
morning, everything is in one spot, and makes it easier for the child to
get dressed and ready.

LOVE - Insensitive classmates, missed buses, forgotten homework and
misunderstood math can make school a traumatic place. Shield your child
by expressing your love over and over again. Tell her you love her. Give
him a hug. Hide a love note or symbol in an Algebra book. Offer your
time, your understanding, and your prayers. With the teacher as your
partner, wrapping your children in love is the best way to spell a
successful beginning to the school year.

Kayla Fay is a freelance writer and the mother of four sons who are
going back to school way to soon. Kayla is the publisher of
http//:www.goaskmom.com <http://www.goaskmom.com/> . She and her sons
have also produced http://www.24hourscienceprojects.com
<http://www.24hourscienceprojects.com/> .











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