Getting ready for the first day of kindergarten is typically more anxiety provoking for parents than for children. Fortunately, our mountain of worry becomes a molehill after only a few days of surrender to the reassuring hands of the skilled kindergarten teacher, who is usually pretty good with children, too! But if you must agonize about what to do to get your child ready for the first day of kindergarten, here are a few simple tips.

Begin talking about school several weeks before the first day. Make it a daily routine to spend a few minutes talking about school activities. Explain what goes on there. Talk about the fun activities such as story time, playtime, and snack time.

Ask older siblings or other children in your neighborhood to add excitement by talking about things they remember about kindergarten.

Make a special event of going shopping for school clothes and school supplies.

Visit the school a few days before the first day. Walk around the kindergarten area. Find your child's classroom. Perhaps visit the playground, cafeteria or library.

If possible, meet your child's new teacher, the principal, the secretary, etc. This visit can really take the edge off, especially if this is your first child.

When the first day arrives, get up early, get dressed and have a good breakfast. It is important to go with your child that first day. Most employers have no problem with this. If you cannot go, have your child go with an adult friend and other children. This will give your child a greater sense of security.

Take a camera or video recorder. You will want to save this memory. When your child graduates from high school thirteen years from now, you will look back at this first day and enjoy.