Your little one is not born with the social and emotional maturity to succeed in school. The traits he needs are traits he learns at home. Traits like confidence, independence, motivation, curiosity, self-control, empathy, cooperation and persistence are traits he learns from you, his first teacher.

You can help him learn these traits by showing him that you care about him and that he can depend on you. When a child feels loved, he is more likely to be confident. Make sure you give him the attention, encouragement and love he needs.

Set a good example for him. Children imitate what they see others do and what he hears others say. You are a model for him. If you eat nourishing food he is more likely to do the same. When you treat others with respect and kindness, he probably will be more likely to do the same.

Repeating behavior teaches your child the importance of practice. Your child needs practice to learn to crawl. This builds his confidence and teaches him to try new things.

Even the most wonderful child needs to have limits set for them. When parents give children firm but loving discipline the child develops better social skills and does better in school than children whose parents set too few or too many limits.

So you don’t want to be too bossy or too laid back. Even give your child reasons when you ask him to do something. Instead of saying “pick up your toys because I said so” explain to your child that it keeps him and you safer when the toys are picked up

Praise your child for a job well done. This is more likely to get a positive response that harsh punishment. Encourage him to wear a mask while this is part of the recommendations put out during this pandemic. Talk with him about why he should do this and explain about the disease in a simple way that he can understand. Do not hide this disease from him because he is a young age.

Let your child do many things by himself. As your child learns to do things on his own this will encourage him to learn to make choices.

Show excitement and a positive attitude toward learning and toward school. Children whose parents show excitement about starting school, get more excited themselves. Be enthusiastic when you talk about all the things he will learn from his teacher and even from his friends.

Parents forget how important they are in developing these qualities in their child. The role you play in these early years of your child’s life will set the tone for the coming years. Remember, you are teaching your child how to live a healthy life. Spend plenty of time talking to your child from his earliest days. But also remember to listen to him. Listening is the best way to discover what he knows and doesn’t know.

Raising a child is a task which should make you proud. You make a huge difference in who your child will become and how he feels about life. You are the most important teacher he is likely to have in his life.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. For more information, email to info@firstteacher.org or call 360-681-2250.