It's pretty safe to say that all parents want their children to thrive in school. But when you consider that kindergarten is still optional in many US states, and compare that with the staggering statistic from the American Psychological Association that suggests students who repeat first grade are more likely to drop out of school than their peers, it's a sobering realization that parents have to put the time and effort in early to help our children prepare for school. In many cases, preparation has just as much (if not more - especially so if your child is male) to do with preparing kids for the social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of school as it does with preparing for the academic rigors of the classroom.   So in addition to learning the ABCs, colors, shapes, and numbers, it's important to also give your child plenty of opportunity to engage with kids of the same age before the first day of school. If you're in a position to enroll your child in a structured pre-school program prior to Kindergarten, that's ideal as it allows an even earlier introduction to a structured classroom setting. If not, many schools now offer transitional Kindergarten, which allows students to enroll in Kindergarten one year earlier, and essentially benefit from 2 years of Kindergarten before they attempt to enter first grade. In many cases, first grade is a milestone transition because students are expected to show stronger control over their impulses, listen and participate cooperatively, work independently and without a lot of guidance on certain tasks, and engage in more frequent testing. The more time a child has to understand and assimilate to these expectations, the better for all involved!   If you're concerned about your child's readiness for the next school year, you may also want to consider working with a tutor. A qualified tutor who can work one-on-one with your child can help him/her build up confidence and prepare for a successful school year. For more information, call Club Z! at 800-434-2582.