What Can I Do To Help My Child In First Grade?
For many parents this may be your first experience with "Real" school. Children about to enter First Grade, as well as their parents, need to be prepared for many changes. Most children will feel grown-up and proud to be going to school all day with older girls and boys, but some children may be shy or reluctant. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Gorzelnik, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Marangi will welcome children from a variety of different backgrounds and developmental levels and are prepared to work with them at their individual developmental, skill, age, and interest levels. It is our goal to make all our students feel at ease and to provide a setting in which all our students may realize their full potential. It is our belief that in order for this goal to become a reality, we must work together and form a partnership with you. We have included below a few things you can do to help your child to get the most out of his/her First Grade year.Personal Health and HygieneYou can help your First Graders by:- making sure they come to school with a clean body and in clean clothes.
- choosing appropriate clothing for both the weather and the daily activities, low-rise pants, high-heeled shoes, and flip flops are not good choices.
- establishing and maintaining a regular bedtime routine.
- keeping them home if they are sick.
CommunicationYou can help your First Graders by:- asking them about their day, be specific, i.e. What story did you listen to today?, Who were the helpers?, What did you do in art?
- being reliable. If you say you are coming to the classroom, to lunch, or to the playground, BE THERE.
- making an appointment with the teacher. Do not conference with the teacher at the door or in the hallway.
- contacting the teacher as soon as you have a concern; write a note, email, or call the school.
- sending a written note if your child is going home with someone other than you.
SuppliesYou can help your First Graders by:- making sure they have all of their school supplies each day, pencils, crayons, and glue sticks should be replaced periodically.
- making them responsible for their backpack, show and tell, and homework.
- sending paper products with birthday treats.
- providing them with a special holder, an envelope, a zip lock bag, or a wallet for lunch money.
OtherYou can help your First Graders by:- modeling good reading habits, you read, they read.
- discouraging interrupting.
- providing words of praise and encouragement.
- encouraging independence and responsibility.
- providing opportunities for accountability.
- support and extend what is presented at school.
- taking them on adventures, a walk in the park, a museum, a play.
- establishing a special time and place to do schoolwork.
