www.FredericksburgParent.NET 13
3
GO SHOPPING
"Go and play
at the school
playground a
few times over
the summer."
Kitty Fulks, mom of seven, says,
"Take them shopping for school
supplies and for a few new outfits."
Back-to-school shopping is very important to
get kids excited for the first day! A new back-
pack, water bottle, lunch box, shoes and art
supplies might calm some fears!
4
TALK ABOUT IT
Reading some books about kinder-
garten and school is a great way
to get kids excited, offers Cathie
Maschler, mom of four. Check out
On
the First Day of Kindergarten by
Tish Rabe, and The 12 Days of
Kindergarten
by Jenna Lettice, com-
plete with stickers!
5
HIT THE HIGH NOTES
Fill your kid in about fun school situations, like field trips,
recess, assemblies, substitute teachers, making new friends,
PE, art, music and lunchtime. Mom Gina Kennedy suggests
even calling the playground a "park" instead since it really is
like a park at the school!
6
SET IT UP
Laying out clothes the night before,
planning a special breakfast and
packing a fabulous lunch go a long
way toward kicking off a great day.
7
WATCH YOUR EMOTIONS
Act excited for your kid even if you're
anxious, and don't talk about how
much you're going to miss your kid
in front of them.
pack a fabulous lunch
8
DON'T LINGER
"It's easier if the kids can walk away
from you than if you leave them.
So, don't go into the classroom and
hover. Walk them into school then
let them go, or walk with them to the class-
room, then they go in and you don't linger. It's
like sneaking out when you have a babysitter,"
suggests mom of four Tresa McAlhaney.
"It's easier if
your child walks
away from you
rather than you
leaving them."
9
WRAP IT UP
Set up a routine for the end of each school
day so your child has that to look forward
to. Even a simple snack and a chat about
the day gets the positive ball rolling so
your child can take on the entire school year
with confidence!
STILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR KINDERGARTEN? IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
Fredericksburg: www.cityschools.com/registration
King George: www.kgcs.k12.va.us/student-family-home/entrance-information
Stafford: staffordschools.net/domain/4577
Spotsylvania: www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/Page/7967
For ESOL speakers in Spotsylvania: 540-582-7074
