Before Your Kids Start School...

It's that time again. The air's getting crisp, the nights are getting colder, and the days are getting shorter. Time for school to start!! As a former preschool teacher, I always thought, "If someone asked me what parents should know before their kids go to preschool, I could definitely think of a few things." I'm sure this applies beyond preschool, too. So from a non-parent but a former teacher, here are my tips:  

1. Please don't send your child to school with shoes that tie until they know how to tie their own shoes. As a teacher, there is very little that is more annoying than having to tie dozens of little kids' shoes over and over and over...especially since little kids like to UNTIE their shoes, just for fun! Velcro or slip-on work just fine.  

2. Before it gets cold, help your child learn how to put their coat on and zip it up without help. It will help them immensely, and the teachers will love you for it. If it's hard for your kid to put their own coat on (because don't we all struggle with that trying-to-find-the-other-sleeve-behind-your-back problem now and again?), here's a tip: lay the coat on the floor in front of them with the coat opened up and the head at the bottom by their feet. Have them put both arms in the sleeves at the same time, then they just flip it over their heads, and voila! Their coat is on. This is what we taught all the kids at our preschool, and it saved us SO much time. Kids as young as one and a half or two can do this on their own. I promise. I've seen it. And it might be hard at first, but they really can figure out zipping, too, especially by the time they're 3. Help them practice. :) They are really proud of themselves when they get it.  

3. Make sure to ask the teachers often what you can be working on with your child at home, especially in terms of behavior. If the kids get consistent messages from parents and teachers, it helps a lot. And if the teachers know you're interested in making their job easier by working WITH you to help your child, they will be much more willing to be honest and forthcoming with you about things going on with your child.  

*On that note, did you know that some teachers are actually told by the directors/principals/etc. NOT to tell parents when their children are acting up or having behavioral issues? They don't want parents to think their teachers can't handle the children, to think badly about the school, or to be upset because the teacher doesn't think their little angel is actually a little angel at all. Make sure you ASK QUESTIONS!!! Make friends with their teachers--they'll be WAY more likely to make sure you get the whole story if they feel like you respect them and the job they're doing. And know that even if your child IS a little angel (they all are, right?), they all have their moments, especially little ones. Don't be offended if your child's teacher tells you that s/he misbehaved. It's not the teacher's fault. Promise.*

4. Ask your kid what's going on at school--not just what they did, but ask them about their friends, etc. Kids will give you a complete story if you ask the right questions.

5. If your child is sick, please, please, please don't send them to school. Especially if it's contagious. Like pink-eye. Or nasty. If they have a constant globby trail of nasty snot running down their face all day, don't send them. If you think it's disgusting, chances are it's even worse for the teacher--even the cutest kids are hard to cope with when they have fevers, the stomach flu, or giant wads of boogers dripping down their faces. I'm not kidding. I've seen it. And if your kid is hacking up a lung in the morning, don't think it will go away in a little while and you should take them anyway. They will still be hacking up a lung when they get to school, and they will be miserable because they're not with you. And pretty soon the rest of the class will be hacking up a lung, too. No fun for anyone.

6. Teach your kids "please" and "thank you." It goes a long, long way with teachers. And teach your kids how to pick up after themselves. Again...even 1 year olds can put their own toys away. I've seen that, too.

I have lots more, but those are the most important. :) I'm just trying to look out for all those fine educators looking forward to introducing your kiddos to a lifelong love of learning. It's a tough job, man.

Good luck starting school!