Week Four "Ten Minute Truths"

Now that the kindergartner's are on their way, it's time to focus on the next big step; preparing your child for where they go once their grade actually starts with a number, elementary school. At onetoughjob.org, an online resource, parents are given tips to help their child prepare for their big day (they also have good tips for preparing for other grades, high school, and life thereafter). What's most important? Start reminding your child of when school begins, get back on a routine (for bedtime and a school schedule), adjust to the new academics, and especially give your child time to adjust within the first few weeks.

Kindergarten Parents

The truth? The more time you spend with your child over the summer reviewing educational games and practicing workbook exercises, the more prepared and confident you child will be with new material once school begins. This week, spend a half an hour each day focusing on the "ABC Fingerplays" in their workbook on pages 248-258. Preschoolers generally enjoy the predictability of rhyming language. ABC Fingerplays will enable them to see patterns in word sounds that will greatly influence their ability to read later on.

Parent's with Children in 1-8th Grades

The truth is, consistency and repetition are a great way to help your child read, understand, and retain what they've learned in their workbooks before school begins. Help your child stay consistent by creating a workbook schedule that they are responsible for sticking to. Let them create a schedule they feel comfortable with, but will also ensure they complete the workbook on time, and follow up weekly to make sure they are on the right track. A great way to help them retain information is by having them complete the first practice test at the end of the workbook. Once completed, review the answers and, if there is any area where multiple wrong answers were chosen, have them review exercises from that chapter in the workbook.