| the pressure to succeed at school begins even earlier | | | | back on the amount of meals and food is not a good |
| than ever. Children in kindergarten and first grade are | | | | choice. Instead, try to provide healthy snacks. That |
| held to a standard of success that their parents never | | | | should be your goal even if weight is not a concern. |
| had to worry about. While in the past those first few | | | | Sugary snacks and empty calories are not much more |
| years of schooling were pressure free and simply | | | | helpful than no food at all when it comes to helping a |
| intended to introduce children to formal education, | | | | child keep focused and energized throughout the day. |
| today children are tested on their knowledge and ability | | | | Fourth, make sure your child is appropriately dressed |
| within the first weeks of kindergarten and that testing | | | | for the day and their school environment. When the |
| continues throughout the rest of their public school | | | | weather is hot make sure they are dressed in cool |
| education. This places an enormous pressure on | | | | clothing, when the weather is cold make sure they are |
| young children and yet many parents are not doing | | | | dressed in warm clothing. When the weather or school |
| everything they can to give their child the edge and | | | | environment is changeable then provide layers so the |
| help them succeed at school. Giving your child the | | | | child can adjust accordingly. Also make sure the |
| edge does not mean hiring a tutor, buying an | | | | clothing is something the child can manage themselves. |
| expensive educational program, or spending hours | | | | Many bathroom accidents occur among young children |
| every day drilling your child. There are several simple | | | | who have trouble with their clothing and the worry |
| steps every parent can take to give their child the | | | | about this can provide a further distraction. |
| edge at school. | | | | Fifth, project the right attitude toward school and your |
| First, make sure your child has enough sleep the night | | | | child's education. If you send the message that school |
| before. Many parents do not send their children to bed | | | | is not important, that the teacher is not worthy of |
| until they themselves go to bed. Growing children need | | | | respect, and that your child's learning is not essential |
| between 10-12 hours of sleep a night. While there are | | | | then your child will receive that message loud and |
| a few children who seem to require less, the majority | | | | clear. As early as kindergarten and first grade some |
| of children need at least this much. If your child | | | | children decide to give up on school. Make sure that |
| appears tired, is difficult to wake in the morning, or has | | | | does not happen to your child by projecting a positive |
| circles under her eyes then you should move her | | | | attitude toward school and education. |
| bedtime up until you find the magic number that gives | | | | Sixth, get involved. Know your child's teachers and |
| her the rest she needs. If she is tired and lacking | | | | school administration. Be familiar with their classroom, |
| energy then it is much more difficult for her to learn | | | | routine, special events, and assignments. The more you |
| and pay attention at school. | | | | know about your child's school life then the more |
| Second, make sure your child has a good breakfast | | | | proactive you can be to head off potential problems |
| and is provided with a good lunch and snack. Growing | | | | and help them succeed in school. |
| children need to eat frequently. They should never be | | | | If you make sure your child has adequate sleep, |
| sent to school on any empty stomach and they should | | | | sufficient food, and appropriate clothing while you |
| not be expected to succeed at school for an entire | | | | project the right attitude and get involved in their |
| day without regular meals and snacks. If you are | | | | education then you have done everything you can to |
| concerned about your child's weight simply cutting | | | | give your child an edge on success. |