How to give your child a head start in school {Guest Post}

Although, I am planning on homeschooling, there are many parents who do not choose this approach. Here is a helpful article about how to prepare your child for school before they even start!

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There are many ways a mom can help prepare her child for his or her first foray into the classroom. Of course, there are several levels of ‘school readiness’ and a child’s success will not only be measured in academic terms, but in the equally important areas of social awareness, independence and communication skills. Careful and gradual preparation before the beginning of the first school term will help optimize a child’s chances of success and reinforce positive feelings and emotions about school at a time when children can feel quite anxious.

Smoothing the path to school

Through play and practical and artistic activities a child can be taught a wide range of skills. To help a child feel confident in the classroom make sure they are familiar with things they are likely to encounter in the early stages. Number, alphabet and color recognition are areas where parents can help their offspring. Make learning fun with numbers, counting and word games and challenge them with problem solving games. Learn about color through fun painting and artistic activities and allow children to express themselves freely in whatever way they choose, whether that be through music, dance, painting or any other medium.

Encourage children to write their name and to be able to recognize it when written down. Regularly read to children and discuss with them the stories and things that are learned from them. If a child is eager to learn to read alone, do not hold them back but let them explore and discover for themselves the joy of reading with carefully chosen books to suit their abilities and tastes.

Looking to the future

Once a child is established in school and happily settled, parents can sit back and relax for a moment. It is often around this time that thoughts turn to the future and plans for a college education. Parents naturally want the best for their children and those who can often set up savings plans early on to fund their child’s academic career. Funding a college education is considered a solid investment by many parents and statistics indicate that salaries achieved by those educated to such levels consistently exceed earnings by those who do not progress as far up the academic ladder.

However, saving plans are not for everyone and in these straitened economic times it can be hard enough just finding enough to put food on the table and pay the rent. Those fortunate enough to be awarded scholarships are in the minority and many students opt for college loans to help fund their academic dreams.  So it is a comfort to know that there are a number of flexible options for those with their heart set on a college education after school. The Discover guide to college loans gives a comprehensive introduction to  college loans in their various forms and explains in simple terms how to get started.

It seems strange thinking about college before a child has even spent their first day at school, but monetary experts generally agree that the sooner a savings plan is established the better. Why not spend the spare time available once school has started to do the necessary research and find the best solution to the college funding question?