Transitioning children from pools to schools

It seems like just yesterday the summer began and now it is time to purchase supplies and head back to school. As the children prepare to hit the books, how should parents focus on the positive?

"Children often experience mixed emotions about going back to school," says Rochelle Harris, PhD, developmental psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. "One child may be excited about the new school year and the other child might think, ' Oh what a drag.'" Children who are in kindergarten or first grade and are going to school for the first time may have difficulty leaving home. It is important for parents to be brave and help their children adapt to the school environment gradually, says Harris. Parents should bring their children to the school and show them their classroom and playground a few different times before school starts. This will help them adjust.

"With older children, the parent could walk the child through the class schedule by visiting the different classrooms and lockers," Harris says.

She offers these tips: * Let your child decorate the inside of there lunch box. This will give them an activity that will excite them about school and give a reminder of home while at school.

* Let your children have input about the book bags they choose, the pencils they use and the clothes they wear. The more say children have, the happier they will be. Letting children make decisions helps boost their self-esteem.

* Review safety tips: Teach your child to obey traffic markings, look both ways before crossing the street, avoid strangers, wear a helmet when riding a bike and sit at all times while the school bus is moving.

* Start helping your child adapt to the school schedule by getting him up early a week before the first day of school.

* Talk to your child about fears on peer or academicsrelated issues, but enforce how exciting it is to start a new school year.