By Cynthia Martin

For the Sequim Gazette

Almost everyone wants their child to succeed in school. As a parent, how you prepare a child for school really makes a significant difference in your child’s success.

No matter whether your young child is 2 or 4, you need to get him ready for school. Learning starts now if you want him to be most successful for the coming school year.

Sometimes parents believe they must wait for their child to begin school to learn all their lessons. That isn’t true. What you are doing now will make a huge difference in whether your child is ready.

You make the difference. If you are the mom or dad who reads to your child daily for at least 20 minutes, you are helping him get ready. Just think how many books you can read to your child in one week. In 20 minutes you can probably read 2, 3, or 4 books.

Imagine how much your child will learn reading 14 to 28 books a week between now and when school begins. Compare that to a child whose parents don’t read to him. It is really clear this makes a difference. The library is waiting for you and your little one to come check out a bunch of books.

If you talk a lot with your child, he learns and becomes smarter just hearing all you are saying. It isn’t just saying words to him; it is talking to him. Including him in conversations pays off as you will see when you hear him talking in full sentences and carrying on a reasonable conversation with you.

When you are out for a drive, point out things and talk about them with him. Not all parents do this but it really makes a huge difference.

If you are the one who reminds him to count the stairs or the raisins or the cards, you are getting him ready for math. Make a big deal when he counts higher and higher. You will even find him counting when you don’t ask him to count. Just think about the start you are making on his math skills for school.

Now is an easy time to help your child learn colors. Talk with her about different colors when you go for a ride or even when you read a book. When she colors a picture, talk about the colors she uses and see if she can tell you why. Talk about the color of the flowers that are growing in your yard.

Be sure to get excited when she learns new things. This helps her become excited about learning when she sees how pleased you are with her. Let her even hear you telling your partner or grandma about something she is learning. She will feel even prouder and work harder.

Teach your child about non-academic things also. Teach him about being patient, waiting his turn, and that there are consequences for his behavior. Teach him to be a good listener. You certainly want him to learn how to be polite and to say please and thank you. Academic readiness is important, but so are the “soft skills” that help children thrive in a classroom setting.

Teach patience by practicing waiting and taking turns.

Reinforce polite behavior by saying “please,” “thank you,” and greeting others respectfully.

Model how to listen and respond appropriately in conversations.

Talk about how to be a good friend — sharing, helping, and using kind words.

These lessons help you child become not just school-ready, but life-ready.

You also want him to learn how to be a good friend.

All of this helps make him ready for school.

He is lucky to have you on his team to get him ready to succeed in school but also to succeed in life. These lessons are ones that not only will help him in school, but it will also help you to raise him to be a good person.

Some parents believe that these are lessons that are taught at school and not ones they need to work on. But hopefully you aren’t part of that group because your child really benefits from having you help her in many ways for the coming years.

Be proud of the role you play in your child’s journey. Let them know how proud you are of their progress. Encourage the little moments of learning and growth.

Celebrate their progress. Your excitement is contagious. When your child learns something new, show enthusiasm. Talk about their progress with others while they’re listening. This boosts their confidence and encourages even more learning.

You’re their first and most important teacher. While teachers certainly help reinforce these skills, your influence comes first — and carries the most weight.

By reading, talking, counting, and guiding your child every day, you’re preparing them not just for school, but for a lifetime of learning and success. You’re showing them that learning is exciting, that effort matters, and that they are capable.

_________________

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.