Summer is almost here. It's time to start thinking of some fun summer activities. It's also time to start getting your little one ready for their first day of school. Whether your child has spent a couple of years in pre-school, or has been home with you, this is the time to make sure they're ready to walk through those doors on the first day of kindergarten. Here are four simple steps you can take to help you child prepare for school.

Get the Name Down

Once your child gets into school, they're going to be spending a lot of time writing their name. Now's the time to make sure they have that perfected. Grab a pencil and paper, and have your child practice writing their name. Crayons are fine, but pencils are better since those are the tools they'll be using to write with in school. Make sure your child practices writing both their first and last names.

Practice the Sight Words

Your child is going to be learning a lot of new words once they start kindergarten. Some of those words are called sight words – words that are most-often seen while reading, or that can't be sounded out through phonics. Contact the school and ask for a list of sight words. Help your child memorize those words during the summer. This will ensure that your child is ahead of the game when school starts.

Identify Your Child's World

When your child is young, they spend the majority of their time with you. However, once your child heads off to school, they'll be spending a good portion of the day away from home. In case of emergency, your child needs to know exactly who they are, where they live and how to contact you. Before school starts, help your child memorize their full name, address, and phone number. They should also memorize your full name.

Plan Some Practice Days

If your child didn't attend pre-school, heading off to kindergarten may seem frightening. That's where some practice days will come in handy. Before school starts, help your child prepare for the transition by practicing a few times. Take them through their new morning routine several times. While school is out of session, take them for a little field trip and allow them to walk around the campus. Show them where their classroom will be, as well as the playground area. Giving your child the opportunity to practice will help keep them relaxed when the big day arrives. 

For more information or assistance, contact companies like Triple R Child Care.