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Show enthusiasm for children just starting school to encourage their excitement and confidence.
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Ensure children eat a healthy breakfast to help them meet their daily nutritional needs and do better in classes.
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Take young children to visit their school and classroom before the first day to acquaint them with it.
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Help children organize and set out what they need for the school day the night before, so there is not a rush in morning.
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Be certain to clothe children in light-reflecting outerwear and coats so they may be seen by passing automobiles in the early morning hours when it still may be dark outside.
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Ensure children who walk to school are walking a safe path, and walk it with your children if they are under age 10. Teach them to obey traffic signals and that a flashing walk signal means that the light is about to change, so it is not safe to begin walking.
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Ensure children who bike to school wear a helmet, ride in the same direction as traffic, use appropriate hand signals and know the rules of the road.
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Ensure children who ride to school are buckled up. Place children in a car booster seat until they are 4'9" or 80 lbs, as seat belts generally do not fit children until they are that size, usually between 8 and 12 years old.
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Teach children to look anyone who bullies them in the eye, stay calm and walk away. Alert school officials to problems that persist with bullies and work with them on solutions.
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Instill classroom rules like no touching or interrupting, and stay in contact with the teacher to instill consequences for breaking the rules. If a child breaks the rules, stay calm when delivering the punishment.
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Inform teachers if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and make sure she sits directly in front of the teacher. Work closely with your pediatrician to manage medications and treatment.
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Monitor children in high school to know where they are during the day, and develop a relationship with the parents of their friends.
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Monitor children's computer activity, restricting inappropriate Web sites and the number of hours they spend online.
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Talk to your children about their school day, and stay involved with the teachers, principal and PTA.
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Speak with teachers about how your children are developing emotionally and socially and discuss the results with your child's pediatrician.
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