Parent Advice from Kinder/First Grade Teachers?

The fact that you care enough to make this post tells me that everything will be alright. Ask your child about their school day, their feelings, new friends (etc) and read with them nightly.

The procedures will be ingrained in your child's head by the end of the first month. Most primary teachers use ClassDojo to communicate. On the first day, walk your child in, help them get unpacked, reassure them that everything will be ok, give them an "all-day hug", and take off. The more you linger the worse it is for most children.

As for supplies, most schools have a list. Feel free to just get the main things: folder/binders, composition book, pencil box, personal set of crayola crayons (please spend the extra 39 cents and don't get Crazy Art/Rose Art). Other supplies such as glue sticks, paper, pencils, etc usually become communal supplies in lower grades and aren't as necessary to bring.

And my last tip - Let go a little bit, extend some independence to your child. Don't get worked up about minor issues, and teach your child problem solving skills. (I have this letting go problem with my own child)

Another last, last tip - If your child isn't feeling well, or has some other significant event/disturbance going on that will affect them at school, please just send us a short classdojo message. An example from this year, "Our dog, ___, passed away this weekend. __ will likely be very sad today. ____ slept on his bed with him every night." This gives us the opportunity to figure out a way to comfort your child if they bring it up, and doesn't spring it on us out of the blue.

/r/Teachers Thread Parent