For many parents across the country, this fall will be their first time sending a child to school. Early childhood education has evolved, and educators and researchers are looking at this first introduction to formalized education as a crucial time for students.

There is more direct instruction in math, reading and writing, with schools utilizing a detailed curriculum to address skills. Story time now accompanies formal reading instruction. In some schools, play time may now even accompany formal social skills lessons. Although September seems far away, now is the time to start preparing your child for his or her first school experience.

Here are some simple and fun ways to get your child ready for preschool and kindergarten:

Preschool

Reading
Read to your child every day. Exposing your child to a variety of age-appropriate books will foster a natural love of reading and curiosity about words. Don’t worry about teaching phonics or decoding skills — the ABC song will suffice for now. Children will often ask what a word or sentence says. Feel free to tell him, but do not press him to repeat or try to sound out words. Keep in mind that at this age your child should have a natural excitement about words and should not feel he is being “tested’ when enjoying a good book!  

Teach your child to recognize her name. You can make a special sign for her bedroom door or write her name in the cover of her books. Learning names and common words (such as store names) is a first step in recognizing and pronouncing letters and sounds.

Math
Count objects while playing with your child. Use his blocks, books, or other toys and model one-to-one correspondence. Counting “one, two, three blocks!” naturally introduces this important math skill to your child.

Expose your child to basic shapes. When reading or watching a TV show, point out circles, squares, or triangles. Many TV shows targeting the preschool-age child highlight these shapes as well as rectangles, hearts, and diamonds. It is very easy to find these shapes in the environment and you can create a scavenger hunt with your child to locate these common shapes in the environment.

Social Skills
Schedule play dates or spend time playing at the park. Sharing, turn-taking, and waiting are all skills your child will need to enjoy a positive social experience in preschool and may be practiced when engaging with peers.

Develop a daily schedule and stick with it. Keep in mind your soon-to-be preschooler likely needs 10-12 hours of sleep a night, so get him to bed on time at night. Wake him in the morning, have breakfast, and get dressed even if you are not planning to leave the house right away. These morning activities are clear ways to signify the start of the day for your child.

Check with your child’s preschool in regards to its rules on potty training Many schools require children to be potty-trained before starting in September. If your child is not yet fully trained, you have plenty of time this summer to work on it!

Kindergarten

Reading
Help your child practice writing his name, especially if he has shown an interest in it. Have him write the first letter then you can write the other letters. You can also write his name first then have him trace it. Keep in mind constant practice or repetitions may discourage your child and frustrate him, ultimately delaying his acquisition of this skill. Make it fun and only practice if your child shows interest.

Point out words that start with the letter of her first name. Although she may not be aware of it, she knows the sound that letter makes and it will be easier for her to associate items with a sound she already knows. Say “Grace, do you want grapes for snack? Grapes sounds like Grace!” See if your child can think of another word that starts with the same sound. If she has trouble, provide an example so she does not get discouraged and the game continues to be fun!

Math
Ask your child to retrieve various quantities of items for you. Have him help you set the table for dinner and ask “Please get four napkins.” This is a fun and easy way to practice counting, a skill that will be targeted throughout Kindergarten.

Model sorting items for your child then ask her to practice. While playing, say “I’m putting all the cows over here and the pigs over here.” Then ask your child to put all the chickens together, and so on. Grouping or sorting is an important pre-math skill for your child to attain.

Social Skills
Maintain a schedule. If your child just finished preschool, he is likely used to a routine that involves getting up in the morning and getting ready for school. Maintain a similar schedule this summer so back-to-school time doesn’t involve early morning chaos!

Give your child orally-presented directions. For example, tell your child “Get the blue block and give it to Daddy.” Having your child follow one and two step directions prepares her to process language as well as comply with known instructions, skills necessary for kindergarten.

When playing with peers or siblings, ensure your child is taking turns with toys and games. Your child could be in a class of 20 children come September and will have to take turns with materials and toys every day. Preparing him to wait will make it easier for him in his class in the fall.

The most important thing you can do to prepare your child for school is to make learning a fun and natural family activity. Drills and repetitious practice of skills at this age may develop stress and fear of school in your child. Introducing simple math, reading, and social skills to your child will get him started on the path to success!

Jennifer Cerbasi teaches at a public school for children on the autism spectrum in New Jersey. As a coordinator of Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in the home, she works with parents to create and implement behavioral plans for their children in an environment that fosters both academic and social growth. In addition to her work both in the classroom and at home, she is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Thoughts of summer often include swimming all day, eating ice cream, and chasing fireflies at night. These days, thoughts of summer also include summer reading lists for students across America. Schools require students to read over the summer in order to maintain their reading skills. For students in upper elementary school, teachers may even assign projects to be completed in conjunction with the summer reading or at the start of the school year.  Educators also want reading to be enjoyable and summer offers an opportunity for the less-than-enthusiastic reader to fall in love with a new style or author without the stress of being tested or writing essays in response to the text.

Below find some suggestions for students entering Kindergarten through 5th grade. Some are common to grade-level reading lists across the country. Others are personal favorites that have solidified my love of reading that began in elementary school. Use this list as a starting point to open your child to an amazing and adventurous world, available to him simply by turning a page.

Entering Kindergarten
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Stagestruck by Tomie dePaola
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

Entering 1st Grade
Beatrice Doesn’t Want To by Laura Numeroff
Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant

Entering 2nd Grade
Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline

Entering 3rd Grade
Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler
Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Entering 4th Grade
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlin
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. by Robert C. O’Brien

Entering 5th Grade
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Students in elementary school are typically reading in the summer to support their reading skills and will most likely not be tested on material. This takes the pressure of your child to recall each and every detail and truly read for fun. Regardless of his grade level, you can encourage your child by designating family reading time each day. You could read to your child, take turns reading, or read your own novel, newspaper, or magazine while your children reads independently. You can also choose books that correlate to your summer activities, such as Camping Out by Mercer Mayer or Curious George Goes to the Beach by H.A. Rey and Margaret Rey. Making connections between the text and her own experiences is an important skill for your child to develop.

In addition to the list your school most likely gave you, libraries are another source for great summer reading. If the book you want has already been borrowed, the librarian will be able to recommend an author or book from the same genre.

Check your department of education’s website for curriculum guidelines. The California Department of Education website has a search engine for suggested summer reading, allowing you to search by criteria such as grade level, genre, curriculum connections, and awards that author or book may have won.

Although many of these novels have been developed into movies, encourage your child to read the book first. This provides an opportunity for discussion, in which your child can compare her visions from the book to those on screen.

The most important tip for summer reading is to check with your child’s teacher regarding her current reading level. Choosing books that are below her reading level will prove to be boring and choosing those above will present a challenge that may result in frustration and resistance to read.

Jennifer Cerbasi teaches at a public school for children on the autism spectrum in New Jersey. As a coordinator of Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in the home, she works with parents to create and implement behavioral plans for their children in an environment that fosters both academic and social growth. In addition to her work both in the classroom and at home, she is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

The troubled economy is on everyone’s mind. You can’t step into a nail salon, dry cleaner, or grocery store without hearing conversations about how bad times really are. Some say education is a recession-proof field, but those in it know this is not true. The budget votes are looming and everyone in the education world is on edge, waiting to see if their district’s budget will pass and for some, if their job will be safe. Core content classes such as mathematics, language arts and reading will always be offered, but “extras” such as art, music and physical education could be the first programs to be reduced or have their formats changed. Regardless of how each state and district handles their budget issues, here are some tips to make sure your child is not missing out on experiences that make them well-rounded and enhance their education.

• Take advantage of free programs! Check your local paper or library for extra-curricular events that are free of charge. Some local businesses offer “demo” classes or free workshop days. Exposing your child to a new activity without making a long-term financial or time commitment is also a good way to make sure he really likes it, without wasting your money.
• Hire a private instructor. Ask a friend (or a few friends!) if they would like to split the cost of at-home sessions, whether it be art classes, karate or music lessons. This could save you money in the long run, especially if you can provide the supplies the instructor may need, which cuts down on her overhead, and in turn your out-of-pocket expenses.
• Go on a family field trip! Depending on your budget and availability, this could be a weekly or monthly event. You can visit museums or galleries to expose your child to famous works of art they would otherwise only speak about in school. You don’t have to be an expert on the subject, either! Many museums offer guided tours or audio recordings to lead you through the experience. Does your family enjoy the outdoors? Take a day trip to a local beach and you have an instant science lesson, complete with a hands-on experience. Discuss the animals that live there, how erosion affects the beach, and how pollution affects the water. Remember, family field trips can be free, or at least only cost you the gas it takes to get there!
• Start a sports club in your community. Call some friends and meet at a local park once a month (or once a week if everyone’s schedule allows) to engage in some stress-free, just-for-fun games. The children can vote on the sport they play that day; this prevents burn out from playing the same sport every time and will limit those “Not again!” complaints you hear from your child so often. Less structure can be beneficial and this opportunity teaches your child about flexibility and compromise. All you need is a ball and some friends!
• Create a book club for your child and her friends. Have everyone put the name of a book they would like to read in a hat and pull out the next selection. Parents can take turn hosting the events, complete with healthy snacks. Parents should read the book ahead of time or consult the librarian to ensure the book is age-appropriate. Have a few questions in mind to get the conversation going. You may have to mediate the first few meetings to get the ball rolling, but once your children have gotten used to the format, they will have no trouble sharing their opinions!

America’s economic troubles are widespread and far from over. From boardrooms to classrooms, staff are looking for ways to cut costs and save jobs, while still maintaining the level of excellence they have created in the past. Your district’s budget is public knowledge and you should take the time to look it over.

Attend local board of education meetings to hear presentations about the budget and what programs will be impacted. Don’t be afraid to ask the board of education or your administrators questions; you have the right to speak up and be a part of the discussion about your child’s education.

Don’t forget about your school’s PTO. Many parent-teacher organizations sponsor fundraisers throughout the year that support school-based programs, after-school activities, or assemblies your child may participate in for free. Remember to volunteer for some of these events as it helps make you an active member of your child’s learning community.

Jennifer Cerbasi teaches at a public school for children on the autism spectrum in New Jersey. As a coordinator of Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in the home, she works with parents to create and implement behavioral plans for their children in an environment that fosters both academic and social growth. In addition to her work both in the classroom and at home, she is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.