| Staring school for the first time is a big deal for | | | | better with step-by-step instruction in a more |
| both parents and children. There are many things | | | | traditional setting or can they manage their own |
| that need to be accomplished and decided prior to | | | | learning a little more independently? The answer |
| their first day of their academic life. Besides the | | | | to this question would steer the parent toward |
| physical check-ups, the visit to the Grand Blanc | | | | the school that would be best fitted for their child. |
| eye doctor or the Grand Blanc vision care center, | | | | Since educators haven't had the opportunity to |
| a parent must make decisions and accomplish | | | | evaluate and get to know the children before the |
| certain tasks to get their child on track to their | | | | first day of school, it is imperative that parents |
| first day of school. They must first decide if their | | | | take the time to make these hard choices for |
| child is ready to start school and what type of | | | | their kids. Once a parent chooses an academic |
| learning environment is best suited for them. Once | | | | environment, they then can rely on the educators |
| they've made these decisions, they will need to | | | | and counselors to help their child succeed and |
| get their child familiarized with their new school | | | | thrive. |
| and obtain all the necessary items they will need | | | | After selecting a school, a parent should start the |
| on their first day. | | | | process of familiarizing their child with this new |
| A parent needs to first consider the age and | | | | setting. They can start by taking them to the |
| maturity level of their child before sending them | | | | actual building, looking in the windows, playing on |
| off for their first day of school. Some children | | | | the playground or simply having a picnic in the |
| whose birthdays fall in the summer months will be | | | | grass surrounding the school. This type of |
| very young, shy and not as mature as their | | | | exposure will show their child that this new building |
| peers entering kindergarten. A parent will have to | | | | is where they will be on their first day and that it |
| think about whether to send them to school and | | | | is filled with fun things to do. Their first day of |
| see if it works for their child, or hold them back | | | | school will be much more successful with this |
| another year in order to catch up and be equal | | | | increased exposure. |
| with their classmates. This choice will impact their | | | | Lastly, a parent must obtain all the necessary |
| child for their entire academic life. It makes the | | | | items their child will need when they start school. |
| difference of their child being either the youngest | | | | Generally, schools provide lists of supplies that |
| or oldest child in their class. This age difference is | | | | teachers request of their students. They will also |
| very important to some kids confidence levels, | | | | need to get things like backpacks, lunch boxes |
| their ability to make friendships and their success | | | | and new clothes. All of these can be done on |
| in the classroom. | | | | 'special' shopping trips with parents and their |
| Another decision a parent must make prior to | | | | children. This kind of shopping makes the entire |
| enrollment is what type of learning environment is | | | | process of starting school much more organized |
| best suited for their child. Does their child perform | | | | and exciting. |