When you send your kids to school the first time, it will feel like you’re sending them off into the world. It can be exciting and nerve-wracking. To help them prepare for their new adventures, here are some basic skills they should know.

1. Reading – Don’t feel pressured to make your kid the best reader in the class, but it’s important they know what reading is and why it’s important. You can accomplish this simply by reading to your child often and instilling a love of books.

2. Positive thinking – Many challenges in life are easily defeated if you know you’ll get through them. When we doubt everything, those fears come true. Teach your child to enjoy challenges and face each day with a smile.

3. Saving money – A lot of kids are never taught this subject until they are earning regular money, but it’s a very important less that should be learned early. Encourage your kids to save a portion of their allowance or birthday money.

4. Basic contact information – This is an important safety measure. Make sure your kid can recite their parents’ full names and phone numbers, and their home address.

5. Putting things away – It’s tempting as a parent to tidy rooms quickly because you can, but that doesn’t help our kids. Make a game out of putting things away so cleaning up is normal.

6. Listening – Some people think listening just means waiting for their turn to talk. If you teach your child to focus and really examine what others are saying, they’ll have a much easier time working with teachers.

7. Organization – Kids are notoriously badly organized. But being organized in school is a quick path to success. Teach them to make to-do lists and keep all of their things together.

8. Playing with others – Some kids who haven’t spent time with other children before schools struggle interacting and sharing. If your kids aren’t in daycare, set up some time for them to play with other children before school starts.

9. Following basic instructions – Your kids should be able to follow basic commands, like “stand in line,” “sit down,” and “follow me.” Teachers will be directing many kids so they need their students to promptly listen to commands.

What skills did you teach your child before school?

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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