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During the days before school started we would always go shopping for school supplies. To this day I enjoy walking down the office supply isle, picking out the pencils and erasers and other necessary supplies for various school tasks. School was always a fun and exciting adventure that you prepared for much the same way as you prepare for a long awaited vacation. Being prepared for those first school days during elementary school will help send your child on a path of education, and can set the stage for a wonderful year, every year.

So your baby is going to elementary school? Whether it's Kindergarten or 5th grade, elementary school preparation can be fun and exciting. The younger ones, heading off to school for the first time need both physical and mental preparations, and the same goes for the older students. So lets take a moment and look at both aspects of preparation for elementary school.

First physical preparations. There are things that every child will need to go off to elementary school for that first nerve wracking and exciting day. Thankfully, schools make this task of choosing supplies a bit easier on us and provide a "supply list". This list is specific to the school and the grade your child is going into, and is an easy check list to follow as you go shopping. Following this list is easy, and will ensure that your child has everything necessary to be successful on those first few school days. Feel free to embellish the list as desired, there's no telling how much confidence and extra excitement will stem from that Barbie binder as opposed to the plain white binder, or the camouflage book back as opposed to the black and red one. But on the whole, follow your supply list and your child will be physically prepared for those first few school days.

Secondly, and very importantly, mental preparations. As important as the physical items that fill that book bag, filling your child's mind with excitement and eagerness and a willingness to learn is of tantamount necessity to a good school year. There are several ways this can be done. First, acknowledge fears and worries. It is natural to be worried or fearful about the unknown. Even if your elementary student is entering the 5th grade, he or she is facing a new teacher, possible new classmates and above all a new curriculum with new standards to live up to. Making sure that there is open communication so that your children feel free to voice these concerns to you will help you know where to start that conversation.

Make sure that every experience, as often as possible, relating to school is enjoyable. Don't get stressed about making that Dr. visit for school vaccines, instead, get excited about the idea of getting ready for school! Your attitude around and with your kids regarding school will speak volumes, and like it or not, will shape your child's attitudes about school. Make sure it is clear that school is fun, but serious. School is all about making new friends and learning cool new things. Make getting ready for school an adventure in itself, and be sure to follow up on those first days with excited questions and a treat or two to show your children how proud you are of them.

This will ensure your children are not only prepared for elementary school, but prepared for a year of learning. Happy first day of school!

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