Parents Have Homework To Do Before Sending Their Kids Back To School

Child Development Expert Denise Daniels Offers Tips for Mom and
Dad
MINNEAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
Kids are not the only ones in the family with homework before
school begins. Child development authority Denise Daniels says parents
have some assignments, too.

"It's hard to think about it now because we are in the midst of
summer, but in a few weeks 31 million children will be heading back to
school or going to school for the very first time," says Daniels,
author of nine books on helping children and parents deal with
emotions. "A few simple strategies can get kids ready for school after
a carefree, brain drain vacation." Here are five easy tips for
parents:

-- Two weeks before the first day of school, begin having kids go
to bed and wake up earlier in the morning so they are
accustomed to their new routine by the time schools begins.
This is especially important for older children, who may stay
up and sleep later in the summer.

-- Build enthusiasm for school by shopping for classroom supplies
and new clothes. Take advantage of back to school sales, but
hold a few things out until after school begins. It's natural
for kids to want to look like their peers so by waiting to
complete shopping until after school begins, kids can see what
their friends are wearing.

-- Get your child back in the academic swing of
things, particularly if he or she hasn't been reading over the
summer. Begin by reading "fun" books, then move on to
multiplication table reviews and more serious books. This
helps get those lazy neurons firing again.

-- If kids are attending school for the first time, or are
starting at a new school, get familiar with the walking route
or bus procedure, and try to arrange a play date with new
classmates during the summer. If possible, meet with the new
teacher and take a tour of the new school and get familiar
with the location of restrooms, classrooms and cafeteria.

"Just as adults experience anxiety before beginning a new job,
kids can are nervous about the first day of school, even if
they attended the same school last year," says Ms. Daniels. "So,
before the first day, talk with your children about how they feel
about going back to school and reassure them that it's normal to feel
anxious when beginning something new and that even teachers and their
friends are having similar feelings. Above all, parents can let their
children know they are confident that the kids will do well and have a
great experience. After a few days of school kids settle into the
routine and everything begins to feel normal once again."

About Denise Daniels:

Denise Daniels is a Peabody award-winning broadcast journalist,
child development authority and author whose specialty is helping
children and parents deal with emotions. Her books from
BantamDoubledayDell and Workman have reached more than 10 million
children. She was sent to South Asia by the U.S. State Department
after the tsunami to help affected children, a role she also played
following Hurricane Katrina and has consulted with the United Nations,
First Lady Laura Bush and Senator Hillary Clinton on children's
issues. Denise has earned an outstanding reputation for her ability to
deliver concise assessments and commentary on issues relating to the
emotions and well being of children, making her an in-demand resource
for parents and media alike.

Media:
TDDC
Jackie Markham, 212-687-1765
jmarkham@aol.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008