Smart Start Guide to School Success for Students and Parents

Ready, set, learn! Kids have an exciting academic year to master new subject matter and skills. Responsibility for academic success not only rests on their growing shoulders, parents and families are collectively responsible for creating the formula for success. Encouraging families to work together with their kids, teachers and school administrators, Kids.gov offers valuable advice for supporting students in their education pursuits. Read and share this Smart Start Guide to School Success for Students and Parents. Here is expert advice to Get Ready for School - 8 Tips for parents from Kids.gov to best prepare our kids to achieve their academic best.

Start Smart Guide to School Success for Students & Parents

Get Ready for School - 8 Tips for Parents from Kids.gov  

Whether your child is attending school for the first time or this is your teenager's senior year, these tips from Kids.gov are available to guide you as you get your family ready for the upcoming academic year.

Stress

Entering a brand new school for the first time or transitioning from a familiar school environment to another educational setting may cause kids to feel a little anxiety. One suggestion from experts for reducing the stress is to develop strategies with your child for time management skills to confidently and successfully complete assignments in a timely manner. Establishing a comprehensive support system both at school and at home will become a valuable resource.  

Mobile Devices

Teenagers can't get enough of their phones when it comes to communicating with their friends. Help your teen learn online safety tips and how to recognize online stalkers.

Bullying

 Parents play a vital role in helping their children deal with bullying. Learn the warning signs and ways to address the situation at school or online.

Safety

Riding the bus for the first time or walking to school is a big step for some children. Communicate with your children about safety rules on the bus. Another safety concern is teenagers driving to school for the first time. Consider setting ground rules for your new driver such as no texting while driving and wearing seat belts even for passengers.

Healthy Eating

 For some girls, moving from "tween" to "teen" may add pressure on appearances. Learn the signs of possible eating disorders among teenagers. 

Sleep

Adults know sleep is critical for success but children--especially teens--will fight you to stay awake during the school week, then want to sleep all weekend. Preschool-aged children need 11-12 hours of sleep; school-aged children need at least 10 hours a night; and teens need about 9-10 hours, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

School Emergencies

 Check with your child's school administrator and learn what type of security plan and emergency alert system it uses. Make sure your information is up-to-date for getting messages.

Vaccines

Your state board of education or local school district may have a list of required shots before your child can attend school. To ease any concerns about getting vaccinated, talk to your child before going to the doctor's office.

Additional Resources

Get more resources for parents at Kids.gov and visit USA.gov/explore to discover government services and programs to help make life a little easier.

USAGov is a federal program that guides you to tips and tools in English and in Spanish from hundreds of government agencies, departments, and programs. We make it easier for you to find answers you can trust about government information and services--online, by phone, e-mail or chat, and in print.