We all want our kids to have a good school year, but sometimes we forget to do the little things that lead to this end. As a longtime first grade teacher and the mother of two, I have some suggestions that - if utilized - will help make your wish come true.

Enforce regular attendance. Kids miss out on valuable learning when they are not in school. They can, and usually do, complete required reading and assigned tasks when they return to school, but they can never recapture what was first presented in the classroom. They miss out on the teacher's special insights that come from experience, and the little tidbits that help to make a topic come alive. They lose the opportunity to be a part of thought-provoking discussions and problem solving solutions.

Get your child to school or bus stop on time. Ideally, kids should arrive at school at least ten minutes before school begins. This allows them to take care of the pesky
little duties (turning in lunch money, sharpening pencils, giving teacher a note from Mom, visiting the nurse, etc.) before the official school day begins. Getting them out the door on time
for a bus ride also demonstrates your ability to be organized and timely-you're setting a good example.

Avoid pulling your child out of school. Whether during the day or prior to dismissal, missing part of class can be detrimental to the learning process. Please reread the remarks pertaining to regular attendance. They apply to mini-absences too.

Make sure your child has something in her stomach before the school day begins. Although a healthful breakfast is best (like the ones you see in commercials, complete with meat, toast, fruit juice and cereal, many of you don't always have time for that on a daily basis. A good size bowl of cereal with milk and fruit is a quick grab. Many schools also offer breakfast in the cafeteria, so check the menu and see if your child would like to eat at school that day. But no matter what, as the experts say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so something is better than nothing.

Learn about your child's day. You need to know how he is faring academically, socially, and emotionally. The easiest and most effective way to do this with the young child is by going through the tote-bag together, discussing its contents, and keeping your ears open. If you see or suspect an area or incident of concern, check it out with your child or your child's teacher.

Don't let worries or frustrations fester. " STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT." If you (or your child) have a concern that lasts more than a week, address it with the appropriate school employee - teacher, bus driver, lunchroom monitor, playground supervisor, or whomever. A problem shared becomes half a problem.

Set a reasonable bedtime, and stick to it. Tired kids cannot think clearly, and kids who cannot think do not learn. You should be "weaning" kids back in to a reasonable bedtime schedule well before their first day of school as the long days of summer come to a close.

And Finally...

Get Involved. Do your part in developing a cooperative partner-like relationship with your child's teacher, the principal, and support staff. Hands joined create miracles; screaming accusations create failures.
Are you ready for all of this? Sure you are. You want only the best for your children, and I know you'll do whatever it takes to make it happen. And remember, LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT.

Jacquie McTaggart, author of From the Teacher's Desk, lives in Independence, Iowa. She has two sons, six grandkids, and 1,500 former students. You can find more teacher-to-parent suggestions at her website www.theteachersdesk.com.