41 Comments

  1. Barbera Peters
    08/31/2017 @ 11:51 am

    My daughter is finally old enough to be enrolled in kindergarten but I have no idea how to choose a school for her or how to get her ready for it. You mentioned to educate yourself on what is expected of your child at their school since every teacher and standards are different. I will keep that in mind as I search for a school that she can enroll into.

  2. Mary Leigh
    08/17/2017 @ 2:03 pm

    These are all really excellent tips. I had never thought of visiting the art/pe/music teachers specifically before, but this makes a lot of sense. Thank you for sharing this!

  3. Rhonda
    08/17/2017 @ 8:02 am

    These are great tips, and needed by parents who anticipate a little separation anxiety. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.

  4. Jamie
    08/12/2017 @ 8:37 pm

    Fantastic tips and such a well written article. And, you are so right about the hangry kids ? Always at dinner time- so angry until I can get them to actually eat. Happy school year ❤️

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/16/2017 @ 12:06 pm

      I hear you. I think that 4pm snack is like a make or break for the day!;) Happy school year to you too Jamie! As always, it’s fun to connect with you virtually!

  5. Laurel
    08/12/2017 @ 12:33 pm

    Loved these tips! Parent/teacher involvement is soooo important for success! And like you mentioned, Art, Music, and even P.E. are designed to introduce new things, and benefit your child, so why not stay up-to-date and informed. I also agree with you on teaching the basics at home. Great article.

  6. Kim
    08/09/2017 @ 9:31 am

    Love thisss tips! They apply to me as well even though they are ready for first grade. After a long summer it’s like starting all over again. Thanks for sharing !

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:02 pm

      I agree.. each year is fresh and we need to review our big goals for our kids! I too have a rising first grader and I am taking my own advice, especially with advocating for her with specialist teachers. Thank you so much for commenting Kim!

  7. Sam
    08/08/2017 @ 6:44 pm

    This has so so much to do with not only prepping your kids for kindergarten but listening to their feelings and needs. I totally plan to apply some of these to our time now (AJ just started at her daycare, she’s 2 and I feel like we can apply #1 and #6 especially). You’re the bomb girl, love your posts.

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:04 pm

      So glad you enjoyed these Sam! I am all about supporting the ALL around needs of littles. It is not just a world of academics they are walking into. With any age child walking out into the world, they need support mentally, emotionally, physically, as well as academically. Thank you so much for your constant support in the virtual world! Hugs to AJ starting a new school in a new city!! You got this mama!

  8. Danielle
    08/08/2017 @ 6:15 pm

    These are some great tips. My son (and first born) is starting kindergarten next month and I’m way more nervous about it than him. I think academically he’s ready to go because we’ve been working on stuff at home for years. And hopefully I’ll make it through the first day, week, and year without breaking down.

  9. Emily
    08/08/2017 @ 1:47 pm

    These tips are excellent! I’m so sad because I have a business trip my son’s first full week of preschool. But I will get to bring him to his first 2 days of school!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:05 pm

      I am so glad you get to be there for the first two days. With my job where I travel, I have missed some of the significant events and it makes being there so much more special because you know how to really appreciate it! Thank you so much for commenting Emily!

  10. Bella
    08/08/2017 @ 10:47 am

    I’m not a parent, but as a Nanny and Childcare giver- this is so on point! I especially love the point about not bombarding them with questions- often we forget that these little humans are affected by that kind of stuff too!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:08 pm

      It is so very hard not to want a play by play of their day. I have to verbally remind myself often times to take.it.slow. Like you said, we forget how little they are sometimes and they have the same needs as we do to just let it all sink in and have a little space. How special that you get to be a caretaker of little ones Bella! What age are the kids you are a nanny for?

  11. Mica
    08/08/2017 @ 7:45 am

    These are good tips! While my little ones are toddlers now I know in no time at all they will be in kindergarten and it comes up so fast! I’m doing my best to teach my eldest some of the basics – he seems really interested in spotting his name and learning numbers and so hopefully he’ll be confident with reading and writing when he starts school! 🙂

    Scheduled to tweet this post too – a really good one!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/28/2017 @ 12:56 pm

      Thank you so much Mica! That is fantastic to hear your little is showing such interest in learning already! Keep up the good work and no doubt, he will be supremely confident in himself when Kindergarten arrives. Self confidence is the key to success in school! I have a great article you may be interested in that gives reading strategies for little guys like him who are just starting to learn numbers, letters, etc. https://www.biracialbookworms.com/reading-strategies-for-beginning-readers/
      Happy Monday and thank you for reading!

  12. Katie Bressler
    08/08/2017 @ 12:28 am

    A great guide! You made some great points, especially the one about helping with basic taskss at home to later help in the classroom. Class sizes are growing, so anything helps out a teacher. Pinning for later & to help others!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:10 pm

      Oh yes. Class sizes. Don’t get me started. It is SO tough and any teacher is a super hero in my book for making it look SO easy. What grade do you teach currently Katie?
      I think even with older kids, some of the skills like packing backpacks and eating efficiently could use some work!:) Sometimes I find the younger ones run circles around the older kids with the gross motor skills. That awkward stage right?:)

  13. Tiff | 18thAvenueMom
    08/07/2017 @ 11:10 pm

    Thanks for the info! My almost 3 year old will be starting a preschool program soon, and I am in full panic mode! That had to be so tough for you not being a teacher at your daughter’s school this year! I can see the control freak in me will be going crazy the first several weeks once my son starts!

  14. Meladee
    08/07/2017 @ 11:06 pm

    Great post. I am certainly that parent that takes the time to meet the teacher, office staff and principal. In order for a child’s experience to be a smooth one, a parent must be involved. I make sure that on the back to school night that in addition to visiting my child’s classroom, I also go see the teachers for the next grade level to see what they are doing in the class.

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:13 pm

      My husband laughs at me, but now he sees the point. He pokes fun at me for being the first to arrive and last to leave at any school event because I want to connect with EVERYONE. It is different now that I don’t teach at my daughter’s school so I feel even more motivated to connect whenever I have the chance. Do you volunteer in the classroom as well? Does your school encourage parent involvement? I have found that we are back in the US, there are many schools that don’t promote a lot of volunteers in the classroom. Counterproductive according to the research of the importance of a parent-teacher relationship to meet the needs of a child, but I am finding the school climate has really changed since we left for overseas 9 years ago.

  15. Tee
    08/07/2017 @ 10:21 pm

    These are great tips. I could apply them even when little one goes to daycare or school. I love the “being child’s advocate” – soo important for us parents to remember we’re their advocates everywhere till they’re older.

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:15 pm

      I tell the parents of my students, “if you don’t care, no one else will.” There is no one more invested in a child’s education than the parents of a child. More power to the parents like yourself that take that role very seriously. How old are your kids now? Feeling prepared for the coming school year?

  16. Shannon
    08/07/2017 @ 9:19 pm

    This is so well put-together. As a teacher- you hit the nail on the head! As a Mom, these tips are huge! Thanks!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/10/2017 @ 9:17 pm

      Thanks Shannon! I think teacher mamas are really tough customers when it comes to their own kids… speaking as a overbearing teacher mom myself, any tips for me to not overwhelm my daughter’s teachers this year? If you have any strategies for keeping quiet on an academic philosophical difference of opinion, I am all ears!

  17. Mindy Voet
    08/07/2017 @ 7:49 pm

    These are helpful tips for getting ready for kindergarten. I have a few years yet but some of these can be started as early as possible!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      08/07/2017 @ 7:54 pm

      Good for you for thinking that way already. Researching how to advocate for kids at school is very time consuming. I am all about doing a little each day and saving myself from being completely overwhelmed as well as emotional. Thanks for commenting Mindy!

  18. Emily
    07/29/2017 @ 1:12 am

    There are some great tips here! Yesterday I actually ordered a few of lunchboxes with the separate compartments, they’re so handy!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      07/29/2017 @ 6:30 am

      Lunchtime is one of the most critical parts of the day! The littles need to eat but schools just don’t carve enough time! We as parents and teachers have to work smarter to ensure the kids get adequate nutrition to be able to do well academically.

  19. Sarah Frank
    07/28/2017 @ 12:21 pm

    These are such great tips! I’m dreading the day when my 7-month-old leaves for Kindergaten, but I’ll definitely be referencing this post when it happens 🙂

  20. Priscilla Barton
    07/28/2017 @ 5:55 am

    i wish i had this guide for my girl who just finished K this year, it was quite a struggle for her

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      07/28/2017 @ 10:03 am

      I am so sorry to hear that Priscilla. I know it can be SO tough to transition to school for so many kids. Hope 1st grade goes so much more smoothly for you both this year! Hugs mama!

  21. Yes, I'm That Mom
    07/27/2017 @ 10:29 pm

    This couldn’t have came at a better time! My 3 year old will be starting preschool and this was a GREAT read! Thank you!!!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      07/27/2017 @ 11:21 pm

      So glad this was so useful! Best wishes on the transition! Keep strong mama!

  22. Kim@Team-Cartwright
    07/27/2017 @ 5:39 pm

    These are great tips. My son is starting preschool this fall, and I am so excited, nervous, sad, happy- everything! I need to keep number 7 in mind. I will so want to pounce and ask everything the moment I pick him up, but I need to let him unwind a bit before I ask too much.

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      07/27/2017 @ 5:49 pm

      Pounce is a great word for how I feel too!! You are not alone mama. Best of luck with your little transitioning to the land of formal school. It’s every emotion you described and more! Thanks for commenting Kim!

  23. Cindy
    07/27/2017 @ 5:03 pm

    This is a wonderful post! You really hit the nail on the head, especially with self care skills and lunchtime. I am a K teacher and I always struggle with explaining to parents diplomatically how important it is to teach self care skills because it benefits their own child! Thanks for a great read! ????

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      07/27/2017 @ 5:29 pm

      Speaking diplomatically is TOUGH as a K teacher! I tease my US Diplomat husband that we can run circles around him as teachers trying to negotiate with parents and children on a daily basis. Thanks for your kind remarks Cindy! We have to stick together! Teachers unite!!

  24. Jamie
    07/10/2017 @ 10:56 am

    Sending the kids away can be heart-racking…so much so that I teach mine at home- not sure that’s the sane decision. This was a great read though- love all the tips!

    • Bethany M. Edwards
      07/10/2017 @ 1:40 pm

      I think you are a (s)hero to teach your own kids mama! I think these tips apply to you even more because they are home with you. Advocating for your child is tough to do when you can’t always see what is going on in the classroom. Kudos mama and thanks for commenting Jamie! Always so grateful for your support!!