Sunday August 24th, 2008 Back-to-School Daze

Another school year looms just around the corner. It seems that lately, everywhere I go I encounter determined parents herding reluctant, cranky, kids in and out of stores in a last ditch buying frenzy of new school clothes, school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes and all the other paraphernalia indispensable to a new year of learning. Actually, this time of season is always very nostalgic for me. My children are grown now, but I still remember their reactions to the first day of school. My daughter happily skipped off the school bus and into the embrace of her new teacher without a backward glance. (I know because, to her mortification, I insisted on riding with her the first time.) I cried all the way home. It wasn’t any easier when my son began his “formal” education career. I left him at the schoolroom door, biting his trembling lips, trying hard not to cry, trying harder to be brave like the big boys. I felt like I was abandoning him and, once again, I cried all the way home.

If you or your child dread the coming school year, there are many helpful, practical exercises you can do to lessen separation anxiety. For instance, make at least one visit to the school before your child’s first day; talk about each place as you visit it; take a look at where the children will leave their coat, eat their lunch etc.; read some positive story books to your child about school; recount your own happy school memories. Many websites offer similar practical tips and more to help you survive the first-day jitters -- www.peopleforeducation.com (a local initiative) and www.tvoparents.com to name a couple -- or just google “starting school”. And of course, there are a variety of resources designed to ease the transition from home to school, available at the Thunder Bay Public Library. Some are listed below. (Parent-teacher materials appear first, followed by a small sample of the more popular children’s items.)

YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS, DISCOVER THEM, DEVELOP THEM, USE THEM: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS by Jennifer Fox, M.Ed. c2008

Jennifer Fox identifies 3 main strengths in children: Activity Strengths -- the tasks that engage and energize; Relationship Strengths -- the things you do for and with others that make you feel valued and competent; Learning Strengths -- the unique ways in which we approach and assimilate new information. She uses clear, step-by-step techniques to help parents and teachers recognize and learn how to capitalize on these strengths so that our children will be adaptable, resilient and competitive throughout life.

PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL by Dr. Helen Likierman and Dr. Valerie Muter. c2007

Two experienced child psychologists offer practical yet relaxed advice on how to help your child develop social and self-care skills, improve language and listening skills, prevent and curb inappropriate behaviour, deal with bullying, promote emotional well-being and much more.


MY SHINING STAR: RAISING A CHILD WHO IS READY TO LEARN by Rosemary Wells. c2005

Success in school begins long before the first day. It starts at home -- with you. In this little gem of a book, (my personal pick) Rosemary Wells, noted children’s author, outlines 10 simple, proven principles guaranteed to help any child succeed.



AWAKENING CHILDREN’S MINDS: HOW PARENTS AND TEACHERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE by Laura E. Berk. c2001

In this state-of-the art book about child rearing and early education, Berk, a leading authority on early childhood development, delineates clear roles for parents and teachers, offers concrete suggestions for creating and evaluating quality educational environments and addresses the unique challenges of helping children with special needs. In short, she gives us the basic guidance we need to raise caring, thoughtful, intelligent children.

STAYING SAFE ON THE SCHOOL BUS by Joanne Mattern. c2007

Using simple, easy-to-read language, this picture book teaches children to stay safe on the bus while also introducing new vocabulary and strengthening reading comprehension.

The following, is a small representation of the myriad of concept books, story books, junior magazines, CDROMS, DVDs etc. available:

EARLY LEARNING SKILL-BUILDERS: COLORS, SHAPES, NUMBERS & LETTERS by Mary Tomczyk c2003

OFF TO KINDERGARTEN by Tony Johnston; illustrated by Melissa Sweet c2007

FIRST GRADE STINKS! By Mary Ann Rodman; ill. by Beth Siegel c2006

WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY? THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Toby Forward; illustrated by Carol Thompson c 2004

ADVENTURE WORKSHOP. CDROM. PRESCHOOL, v.7

DORA THE EXPLORER: MUSICAL SCHOOL DAYS. DVD. c2007

In addition to a dizzying array of children’s print and electronic resources, our Library also offers a wide variety of programs designed to promote literacy and prepare our kids for a relatively seamless entry into the school system. Books for Babies, Tales for Twos, Pre-School Storytime and Beginning with Books help develop a love of reading that is so vital to the success of any future learning endeavours. Readers are Leaders for children in Grades 2-3, improves language facility and reading skills and the ever-popular story and craft programs are designed to cultivate listening skills, conceptual creativity and eye-hand co-ordination. (It should be mentioned that FUN is a mandatory component of all.)

So, I cordially invite you and your family to visit your library and discover the many ways in which it can help achieve a happy and rewarding school experience for everyone!

Jill Otto, Library Technician
Mary J.L. Black Library