by: Dr. Wayne Myers; school readiness coordinator

In just a few months, a new group of kindergartners will be entering the doorways of Morgan County Primary School. Your child may be part of that group. You and your child have been preparing for this moment for five years. Now it has arrived. As the time approaches you and your child may feel anxious about this new experience. Read on for some suggestions for making the transition to the "Big School" – Morgan County Primary School.

Read together every day.

Create a routine over the summer. Give your child a bedtime (7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. is great) and stick to it.

Have your child practice writing his first name. If he can do this, try his last name, or practice lower case letters.

Use counting in your daily activities. Count how many steps it takes to get to the mailbox or the park. Count out fruit, placemats, napkins, and so forth.

Take your child with you to the grocery store, post office, library, and other errands. Talk with her about what she’s seeing, hearing, and touching. It’s all part of learning!

Let your child practice independence by allowing your child to make limited choices: “Do you want an apple or a banana?” Encourage her to try new things.

Join the Summer Reading Program at the Morgan County Library, which has weekly programs starting in June. Registration begins May 1. Get your child a free library card. Then use the card to visit the library and borrow a book. Talk about the books you read. Ask questions like: Which part did you like the best? Halfway through, ask your child what he thinks will happen at the end. Who was your favorite character?

Take local field trips with your child during the summer.

Have a play date at the primary school playground. While enjoying the playground, talk about what happens inside the building. If the building is open ask if you can walk the halls with your child.
Take a walking tour of downtown. Start at the Cultural Center. How much do you know about Madison? Find out together with your child.

Visit Hard Labor Creek in Rutledge with a stop in downtown Rutledge for an ice cream cone.
Check with the Chamber of Commerce for other events which you and your child might enjoy.
Attend the Parent Orientation meeting on Thursday, July 30, at 4 p.m. at the school.

Attend the “Meet the Teacher” event at the school on Monday, August 3, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

More ready for school information is located at the following Web site, published by the school system: www.morgan.k12.ga.us/boe/readyforschool. If you have any concerns about your child being ready for school, please contact your child’s preschool teacher or the school office. Have a great summer.

PRINTED IN THE APRIL 16, 2009 EDITION