JUST BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS:

Make a checklist of the things your child needs to do each morning to get ready for school. You can draw pictures or cut pictures out of a magazine. Hang it up in your child's room to help him begin to be responsible for completing the morning task each day,marking them off as he completes them.

To help the morning go smoothly,get things ready the night before-pack lunches,pick out clothes,and set the breakfast table,pre-select breakfast choices so sleep children don't have to be bothered with decisions so early in the morning.

Select a place to put back-packs,jackets and things that will go out the door with your child each morning so your child will not be telling the teacher that "my mom forgot my backpack"and you don't have to look for these items in the rush to get out the door and to school on time!

Send your child off with encouraging words like,"Have a good day" rather than warnings like, "You better be good."

If you pack a lunch you may want to add a fun napkin or a note . Notes can be reassuring and comforting to your child.

AFTER SCHOOL:

Encourage your child to talk about the day's activities , and really listen to what he or she says. Ask things like "What was fun?" or "What was easy,what was hard?" Keep in mind that children often love to exaggerate about how "bad"the other children were or how "mean" the teacher was. Try to remember what it was like for you.

If you hear that something was difficult at school, let your child know that you understand there are some things at school that are hard to do, that your're proud that he has been trying,and that tomorrow will be a new and hopefully better day. There may be days when children won't want to talk at all about school,just realize they will when they are ready and be there to listen when the time comes.