Get kids excited about the first day of school with a “Back-to-School Calendar Countdown.” Simply find out what day school starts, then mark it on the calendar. Each day, help your child think of a question that she has about her new school, teacher or classmates. See our suggested questions for ideas. Jot down the “Question of the Day” on the calendar. After the school year starts, refer back to your child’s questions and discuss her findings!

There are important things kids need to know before they head off to school—including their phone number, address, birthday, last name and their parents’ names. Print out our I Know About Me! template, then help your child fill out the information and color it. You can even cut the door open and place a photo of your child behind it. Be sure they know all about themselves before the first day.

Drop by your local library or bookstore and ask about children’s books that deal with first-day jitters. Here are some titles to get you started: Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, and Will I Have a Friend by Mariam Cohen. Read the books with your child, then discuss any first-day jitters or concerns he might have.

Does your child get nervous in new settings? Simply contact the school and ask if you and your child can check out the campus and the classroom. Take your camera or a sketchpad along. Discuss the new school year on the walk, then take some photos or draw some pictures of the buildings and the surroundings. Review the photos or sketches a few days before the new school year begins—perhaps your child will notice a slide or swing set she can look forward to using when the school year begins! And, if the new teacher is available, introduce your child to him. See our fun Make a School Map project in this month’s Parent’s Corner for another way to familiarize your child with her new school.

Create a keepsake that kids can carry wherever they go! Simply choose a family photo that is special to your child, then place the photo inside your child’s school backpack. You can even put the photo in clear adhesive with Lakeshore’s Clear Adhesive Roll or in laminate. Tell your child that he can take it to school every day, so that it will be there all of the time. He can even sneak a peek at it when he gets his lunch out of his backpack in the middle of the day.

Children will love to hear about mom and dad’s early school experiences! Share some of your own fun stories with your little one. Just make sure they’re positive experiences that your child can relate to.

Sometimes kids get their clothes mixed up…that’s why you’ll need to write your child’s name on her belongings—from jackets, boots and mittens to hats, packs and lunch totes. It’s easy to write their first initial and last name on the inside of these articles with a permanent marker.

Ready your child for school with a little practice! The week before school starts, rehearse the morning routine each day—from getting up when the alarm clock goes off and choosing a school outfit to eating a healthy breakfast. You can even practice saying “goodbye” to each other. And if you’re going to pack a lunch for your child, be sure to show him how to open and close containers and zip-close baggies.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy breakfast. It will improve mental performance and concentration in your child during morning activities. Take the extra time to prepare something nourishing, such as oatmeal, fruit or a protein shake and always remember to keep it healthy when packing your child’s lunch and snacks.

Kick off the new school year with a new school tradition! It could be as simple as taking a photo in the same spot each year, baking a back-to-school cake together…or getting up early to go out for a special breakfast that morning.

Finally, don’t let your child notice your first-day jitters! Be sure she doesn’t overhear you say comments like, “I can’t believe my little one is starting kindergarten already!” Instead, keep an upbeat, positive attitude about the upcoming school year. When the big day arrives, be aware of your child’s body language. You may have prepared her so well that she simply says goodbye with a quick wave. If she does, don’t dwell on the moment—just smile and wave back. To alleviate some of your own jitters, complete our Preparing for School Checklist with your child. Then, you can both feel ready to return to school!