What advice would you give parents of children starting school for the first time this year?

I think sleep is the biggest thing that children need. Each child is different and a # is a bad way to give people advice, so I always tell people that their kid needs so many hours of sleep that they do not need the help of an alarm clock to wake up. Their children need to set a homework routine and the children should be taught that they are responsible for their school work. Mom and dad won't check it every night, but by communicating with the teacher, will still be held accountable. Setting good work routines early in life. I have seen so many kids who are so lazy from elementary school.

I forgot to mention about reading. Of course toddlers should have been read to during their early life, but make sure that you continue to read to children.

Agree with PP about enough sleep. I cannot emphasize this enough. Kids need more sleep than adults seem to think.

Be sure to establish a good routine well in advance of the first day of school.

If the child is nervous, try to visit the school well in advance so they can see what it's like in a calmer setting. And never, never dismiss your child's concerns as "silly".

Be sure that the child has a good breakfast every morning.

Be prepared to have a ton of homework. For the parent(s), not the child. You will have forms and notices quite often. You should go through all of this nightly, and IMO, go over it with the child.

It will be on you to help your child learn to be organized. You should not be easily frustrated in this process because it is essential and can be hard for a child to learn.

Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities at the school and do it if you are able. Not only will you get an inside look at what is really going on, but it shows your child that you support them.

Expect a lot of chaos and a good dose of stress early on, but rest assured that it settles down once the children settle in. Just keep your excitement level high and the child should catch it.

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Since it is obvious that you do not have a clue about obedience training, your services should be for free. You cannot train even an adult dog for 8 hours a day. About the most that can be done at any one time is 10 - 20 minutes and that is with an adult dog and not a puppy. The attention span on this baby is extremely short and training session should be no more than 10 minutes and twice a day. Additionally, there isn't going to be much learned if you will only be training for 5 days. Obedience training is cumulative and is done over a much longer period of at least several weeks to several months.

What you can charge is determined by your experience, reputation, and accomplishments and in a case like this, should also include guaranteed expectations. Just working with dogs over several years, is not the experience that is necessary to be a dog trainer. There are too many people who are putting that title to their name and fleecing the public. Don't be one of them.

1. Make sure that the child is getting a healthy breakfast every morning before school and adequate sleep the night before

2. Get to know your child's teacher and show an active interest in your child's academic and social progress

3. Show an active interest in your child's education. Ask your child what they learned at school that day

4. Have a regular homework and study schedule - first graders are unlikely to have a huge amount of homework but if you introduce such a schedule from a young age than it is easier to implement at a later date

5. get to know your child's friends and their parents - it is likely that your child will be spending a lot of time with them over the years

6. If there are any extra curricular activities that are being offered for their year get your child involved

7. Get familiar with the symptoms of such issues or bullying and be prepared to act accordingly if this is happening to your child

8. Get your child aware of issues such as their safety - in Australia we have things like 'safety houses' that children can go to if they are ever in trouble. If there is something similar in your country than make sure you child is familiar with this. If you are dropping your child off at school than make sure that they exit through the door that is on the side of the verge and not the road.

9. If your child has a disorder such as ADHD, a learning disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia), autism, aspergers or a disability (either physical or intellectual) make sure that the school can provide additional services for the special needs of your child

You’ve changed her diapers, tolerated her terrible twos and taught her to get dressed by herself. Now, it’s time for another milestone – the first day of school. Nervous? Excited? Don’t know what to expect? Welcome to kindergarten and first grade, Mom. Here are eight tips to get you and your little one ready for her first day.

The Name Game

Teaching your child to write their name makes for excellent kindergarten preparation, according to Countdown to Kindergarten of Boston. Small letters are used most commonly, but it doesn’t hurt to teach her both upper and lower case. And once she can write her first name, have fun with it. Move onto her last name and then her brother’s name or the dog’s name – any practice is good. When you’re done with names, teach your child to write her address and telephone number.

Encourage Independence

Before going into kindergarten, most school boards suggest that children be able to get dressed and undressed, and use the toilet independently. They should also know how to put on their own coats and shoes. If your child isn’t up to speed, you may need to get creative. Stickers work well for encouragement. Also, a routine that the child begins to recognize can help. Make sure you allow enough time for each stage so she doesn’t feel pressured.

Teach the Basics

Take your child on errands and explain how things work as you go. Stops could include the grocery store, library and post office. As you visit each location, talk him through the steps: “This is where all the produce is, here’s the meat section and this is where we go to pay at the cashier.” General knowledge of how things work makes for good kindergarten preparation, says Countdown to Kindergarten.

Also, when reading to your child, encourage comprehension by talking about the story and asking questions. For example, what was their favorite part? Or, stop halfway through and ask what they think will happen at the end of the story.

Make Getting Ready Fun

Remember the excitement you felt starting school with new clothes and a fresh supplies? With younger kids, a bag full of gadgets, a new backpack and a few new items of clothing tend to gear them up without any further encouragement, says Amanda Formaro, mother of four in Nevada. Go shopping together to help get your little one excited. Check out the latest back to school styles, top supplies and our general back to school checklist.

Make sure the kids get enough sleep each school night. Have a routine for when school does start. Kids find comfort in having routines. And don't let them mouth their teachers off like my son Allen Gregory does!

- Healthy Breakfast that fills them up, you dont want them to be hungry during class and not concentrating!!!

- A Balanced lunch- A piece of fruit, A Healthy sandwich,wrap etc. with wholemeal bread or a type of dip with celery and carrot sticks, museli bar and a little treat like a cupcake, tiny teddies, popcorn or grainwaves.

- Dont acted nervous or stressed, because then your kids will feel the same way

- Help them with their homework everynight

-Get them to bed on time

- Help them to become independent by encouraging them to make their own breakfast and help with their lunches

-Make sure you pack them a bottle of water

-Pick them up after school on time!!! i used to worry if my mum wasnt their on time!

- After School bring them a healthy snack to have in the car

- Encourage them to do co-curriular out of school like Sport, Music or Art Classes.

- If they tell you about any concerns about teachers, believe them then go speak to that teacher

- Let them have freinds over after school or on weekends every fortnight so your kid can have some fun!

Just relax and enjoy this time, its not the time to get stressed about what they can and cant do. Just remember this time next year they will be able to read on their own, write their own name and sentences, tie their shoe laces and ditch you as soon as they get to the school gate.

Set a routine,have a calendar where everyone will see it everyday,so important events are remembered

Have children wash or sanitize their hands as soon they get home,get involved with their education.

Have a wee lie down after they've gone. When you wake up, and you will! Have a wee cry. And do not, at this stage, think about the teenage years. Unless they're yours?