Preparations for school should include more than registration

Registering a child for pre-K and kindergarten is just the first step to preparing a child for his or her school career.

To give their children a head start, parents can begin teaching their new pupils basic lessons such as the alphabet, said Phyllis Means, the director of elementary student learning for the Columbia County School System.

"(Reading to a child is) always good, but there are some other good things," Means said. "Parents can use things like alphabet books, counting books, concept books and informational books to prepare their children."

Books recommended by the school system include Dr. Seuss' ABC, An Amazing Alphabet Book; Anno's Counting Book and Red, Blue, Yellow Show.

A complete list of recommended books for children can be found online at www.decal.state.ga.us, the Web site for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Means said.

The system also recommends reading children poetry, reading books that repeat a word or phrase throughout the story and showing children picture books.

Other tips for parents of new pupils would be to dress them in sturdy, comfortable and washable clothes. Those pupils often participate in activities involving paint and glue, and they play in sand and water.

Also, school officials suggest pupils wear tennis shoes and clothes that are easy to pull up and down for bathroom needs. Parents should provide them with a jacket or sweater on cool days, and write the child's name on their clothes. Pupils should also keep a change of clothes at the school in case of emergencies.

A good breakfast is suggested, and parents can also send a snack to school with their child.