by Yolanda Palmer

Created on: August 23, 2009

First grade happens to be a very important year for kids. First grade is a major change from half-day kindergarten to first grade being all day. Some of the first graders might be frightened of riding the school bus with the older children. Don't even mention the extended hours from being separated from the parents. I would recommend that you buy the child's school supplies early to make things go smoother.

Also let your first grader pick their own backpack; it will help get them excited. To help eliminate the fear something you can do is play school with your child. It will help them know what to expect. All you will be required to do is buy a few school supplies and pretend to be their first grade teacher. Here's a checklist of a few common things that first graders use:

2 erasers (plain)

1 package dry erase markers (low odor)

1 large glue sticks

plain pencils (10 sharpened)

1 plastic folder with pockets

1 package large Crayola water colored markers (8 in a box)

1 box of tissues

school box (plastic, not to exceed 3" in height)

2 boxes crayons (24 or less)

1 composition notebook

Fiskars metal scissors (they also have left handed scissors)

When school begins you can give your child a locket with a picture of you or someone else special to them; it will be a great comfort to your child. The cafeteria may look enormous to your child on the first day of school. I recommend if you pack your child's lunch put a paper red heart inside their lunch bag. Now as they get older this will become embarrassing to them and they will resent you for doing it so you should probably stop after the second grade.

Another thing you should do is go out and buy this book called the "A kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn. First read the book by yourself. After you have read it by yourself read it with your child. The mother in the book kisses her child's hand whenever the child is feeling lonely or even scared. So every time your child is scared or lonely kiss their hand. The little things you do for your child will make a big difference in how they adjust to different situations. First grade happens to be the beginning of very many changes in their lives. So take a little time to make the transition easier for all people involved it will be a wise investment.

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