Parenting Issues:

*Getting your child ready for school:

-Make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician for a complete health exam

-Teach your child to be safe. Help them with reciting their first and last names, parents’ names and street address. Teach them not to talk with strangers.

-When out walking with your child, instruct them to stay on the sidewalk.   Teach them to watch out for cars pulling out of driveways and tell them to look both ways before crossing.

-Teach your child the emergency number 911.

-Encourage helpful habits such as putting things away, listening, dressing oneself and getting along with others.

-Prior to the start of school, focus on the positives—i.e. “you are a big boy/girl now.”

-Read books about starting school—i.e. Berenstain Bears Go to School by Jay Berenstain or Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate.

-Check in with your child—ask, “How are you feeling about starting school?” And “are you ready to go to school?”

-Discuss their feelings, fears or concerns.

-Attend Kindergarten Orientation

-Try visiting school again before school starts

-Point out where the bathrooms are in school

-A week before school starts, practice getting up and out at the new time.

-Review the new schedule with your child

-Let your child know that you, his/her room, favorite toy will be waiting for him/her at the end of the day.

*Homework Tips:

-Set a consistent homework time

-Find a quiet/comfortable spot in your house to do homework

-Help your child get set up and organized

-Sit nearby so you can answer any questions

-Communicate with your child’s teacher about any homework problems

-When in doubt—always read with your child!

*Ways to Boost your Child’s Self Esteem:

1.      Listen to your child

2.      Use specific praise

3.      Be accepting

4.      Encourage doing your best, taking risks and being assertive not aggressive

5.      Allow for mistakes—no one is perfect—we learn from our mistakes

6.      Nurture empathy and compassion

7.      Tell your child “I love you” sincerely and often

*Ways to Encourage Positive Behavior:

1.      Give your child lots of love

2.      Listen to your child carefully—set aside quality time each day to share feelings, thoughts and interests

3.      Understand the needs and wants of your child

4.      “Catch” your child being/doing good

5.      Use specific praise

6.      Set clear limits

7.      Enforce limits

*Suggestions for Discipline at Home:

1.      Give firm reminders of expected behavior

2.      Implement a behavior chart (sticker chart)

3.      Take away a  privilege

4.      Give a “time out” in a safe place where there is no distraction. Time outs usually last as long as the age of the child (i.e. for a 5 year old—5 minutes)

Seek professional help—if discipline becomes a problem.

Remember adults benefit from a time out too.  If feeling angry and upset, take time to “cool off.”  Do not use physical punishment