Preparing Children to Go Back to School

Ways for Parents to Help Kids Get Ready for School

Jul 30, 2009

Parents do not need to let their children lose much learning over the summer with some simple tips to help prevent the summer slide and be prepared to go back to school.

The summer slide effects all children regardless of what grade they are or whether they are gifted or have special needs. This phenomenon causes teachers to spend precious teaching moments reviewing previously learned material during the first days of school. Parents can help shorten this review time considerably with a few simple steps that prepare children to go back to school.

Teaching Basic Math Facts: a Review

In math class, students of all ages are required to learn basic math facts. For younger students these are addition and possibly subtraction facts. Starting in about third grade, students begin learning multiplication facts. Reviewing these facts so that children have them well memorized by the start of school will help them considerably as they prepare to move onto more difficult material.

Start a Reading Log

Parents are told to read with their children every day, but many families struggle to find the time to actually sit down and read together. This is one of the most important things that parents can do with their children, so starting a reading log is an excellent method to help ensure that some time is spent reading each and every day.

Children in grades pre-k through second should be reading at least 10 minutes each day. Children in grades 3-4 should read a minimum of 20 minutes each day and children in grades 5 and up should read a minimum of 30 minutes each day. Children with a specific learning disability in the area of reading or who have ADHD may need to have shorter chunks of time to read over the course of the day to prevent frustration.

Make Learning Fun

Parents should take advantage of teachable moments each and every day over the summer as well as through the school year. Making learning fun will help prepare children for the start of school and help them to have a positive attitude going into the next grade. Doing this is simple, as a little excitement can go a long way when learning something.

Parents need to start taking a little time each day with their children to prepare them for the start of school. With some review in math and reading, students will be prepared to jump into learning when school starts again. Parents also should take some time to help make learning fun with the teachable moments that occur each day.

The copyright of the article Preparing Children to Go Back to School in Kids Educational Activities is owned by Jennifer Wagaman. Permission to republish Preparing Children to Go Back to School in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.