Requesting a change in your child’s classroom placement can be tough, here are some ideas to help get started.

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Requesting a Change in Your Child’s Classroom Placement

My daughter went from dreading to looking forward to her day at school. As a parent, I ho-hummed about requesting a change in her teachers, but then realized that speaking up for her needs at school was what I had to do. Now that we are half way through the school year, I am SO glad we did.

Read How to Get the Teacher You Want for next year!

How do You Know It’s Time to Request a Change to Your Child’s Classroom?

1. Your Child Doesn’t want to Go to School

The classroom placement for this year just wasn’t working for my grade school daughter. It started out ok. The new teacher was friendly, organized and enthusiastic. My daughter seemed to get along with her, but then things never really settled after the first few weeks of school. She was coming home frazzled, didn’t want to go to school, and was having a hard time making friends. It wasn’t like her and so we sat down and talked.

Some kids do not want to go to school for a variety of reasons from feeling frustrated with academic tasks to having friend issues. Talk to your child about what is making them unhappy. If they say, “I hate my teacher,” or “My teacher is mean.” Ask for examples. Keep in mind, you are hearing the kid-version of the story. E-mail or call for the teacher version.

Because of the grade levels schedule, my daughter was seeing one teacher for home room, another for reading, another for science and yet another for math. Add in all the special teachers (library, art, PE…) and she didn’t see one teacher for more than 90 minutes in a day. Which also meant, she didn’t see the same kids either. On top of that, she had to keep all her belongings in the homeroom class and stop there – like a locker- in between all the other classes. It felt like my 9 year old had the schedule of a middle schooler. When we really analyzed it, she had MORE transitions that a middle schooler.

My book-a-holic, straight A student hated school? WHAT? This mom knew, her daughters homeroom classroom needed to change.

2. You have scheduled a conference with your child’s teacher, made a plan, and things still haven’t gotten better.

The first thing we did was talked with the teacher about our concerns. She really listened and referred me to our school counselor. Because my daughter has a 504 plan, she arranged a meeting for her education team (all the teachers and school counselor) to discuss possible solutions. Even if your child does not have an IEP, Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan, you can always ask your school’s guidance counselor, curriculum director or principal to help set up a team meeting to discuss the educational needs of your child. (After the conference, plan, and no improvement)

3. A change in your child’s classroom placement should occur if your child’s learning is affected by a relationship with another child or adult.

This not getting along with a teacher, professional in the room, or peer may be causing inner turmoil. Looking at the facts, there are just times when 2 people do not work well together. It is my opinion that if a child does not feel emotionally safe at schools then we, as parents, must speak up and insist upon a change. I have seen parents remove children from the public school setting to homeschool due to these bad connections. Changing classrooms is always an option to consider too.

Don’t miss How to Write a First Grade Teacher Request Letter

What to do when Your Child’s Classroom Placement Needs a Change

Tips for Requesting a Change in Your Child’s Classroom Placement

• Address the issue with your child.  Do lots of listening.
• Address the issue with your child’s teacher via phone or e-mail.
• Schedule and in-person conference with your child’s teacher
• Make and follow a plan to solve the issue as a team (parent – child – teacher)
• Continue the dialog on a consistent basis. Do not wait weeks to let your child’s teacher know the current plan is not working.
• If the plan doesn’t work – Consider meeting with an extended education team. This team may include the guidance counselor, grade team leader, principal, curriculum director, behavior specialist, teacher, and parent.
• If it hasn’t already been brought to the table as an option, ask firmly, but kindly for a change in classroom placement. Can we consider changing my child’s classroom?
• As always, it is easier for me to sandwich the issue between positives. Say something nice about the current situation, then explain why it isn’t working and must change, then end with a positive, like how the new teacher will help your child do better in school.
• In our case, my daughter’s entire team of teachers was in support of changing her homeroom classroom teacher. We were lucky in the fact our issue was not related to having a “mean teacher.” It made it so much easier to say, “Mrs. E is very sweet, welcoming, and organized, but the way my daughters’ schedule is set up, it severely affects her learning with so many transitions. I would like to propose that she moves into ___ or ___ homeroom. This change would eliminate 6 transitions and add 25 minutes to her learning day. “

Additional Resources for Classroom Placement for Your Child

Keep your kindergartner’s skills sharp this summer and help prepare them for first grade with these hands-on, innovative learning games in our book, 100 FUN AND EASY LEARNING GAMES FOR KIDS. Turn off the TV and beat boredom blues with these clever activities that are quick and easy to set up with common household materials. Each of the 100 learning games comes with an additional 3 alternative ways to play, making this a resource with nearly 400 activities!

Explore these tips and tricks to make it a smooth transition filled with memories for a successful school year.

As a teacher and Mom of 3 kids I’ve experienced the first day of school from both sides for over 20 years. Confession… it’s my favorite time of the school year!

All the excitement of getting ready with your classroom for your new students can be so much fun and a whole lot of work.

Back to School Resources for Parents

Preparing for back to school time is important for parents and kids because it helps to ease the transition back into the school routine. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels for both parents and kids.

Here are some tips for preparing for back to school time:

• Start planning early. This will give you plenty of time to get everything done and avoid last-minute stress.
• Create a back to school checklist. This will help you stay on track and make sure you don’t forget anything.
• Talk to your kids about their expectations for the new school year. This will help them feel more prepared and excited about the upcoming school year.
• Help your kids get organized. This includes packing their school bags, setting up their school supplies, and creating a homework schedule.
• Make sure your kids get a good night’s sleep before school starts. This will help them be well-rested and ready to learn.
• Pack a healthy lunch for your kids. This will help them stay energized throughout the day.
• Be positive and supportive. This will help your kids feel confident and ready for the new school year.

Having the school year kick off with the right start can make such a difference.

From Back to School Books, First Day of School Poem or Help Packing School Lunches and After School Snacks we’ve got you covered!

Here’s a collection of Back to School resources from The Educators’ Spin On It to help you prepare your family for a successful school year.

Magic Dust for the First Day of School 

First Day of School Books

Back to School STEM Activities

Best Lunch Box Options for School

Back to School Lunch Organization

Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School

Lunch Box Notes for Kids

Host a Back to School BBQ

Does Your Child’s Kindergarten List Compare?

Top Ten Back to School Tips for Home and School

DIY First Day of School Sign

Meet the Teacher Tips for Parents

Morning Routines for School

Open House Tips for Parents

Sending a Smart Kid to Kindergarten

Activities for Making Friends at School

Preparing for School- A Mix of Emotions

Back to School Concerns as a Parent

Tips for Making Friends at School

Back to School Anxiety for Kids

Crayon Themed Activities for Back to School Fun

Pencil Themed Clothespins and Literacy Game

Back to School Reading Interview

First Day of School Interview Self Portrait

Back to School Printable for Kids

Teacher Gift Idea for Back to School

Teacher Gift idea: Personalized Post-it Note Gift

Back to School Quote and Magnet Idea

Snack Ideas for Kids After School

Back to School Snack Ideas

9 Back to School Tips for a Busy Family

Back to School Shopping Tips for Thrifty Families

7 Back to School Photo Prop Ideas

Requesting a Change in Your Child’s Classroom Placement

Getting Kids Engaged and Ready for Back to School

How to Write a Placement Letter

Give a Teacher Supply Box

First Day of School Printable Book

Back to school time can be a stressful time for both parents and kids. By following these tips, you can make the transition back to school a little bit easier for everyone.

Questions about Starting School

If you have any questions you’d like to ask as you prepare your child for school please leave a comment and I’ll find the answers for you! With a few simple steps Back to School can be your favorite part of the school year too!

You may also enjoy these activity ideas…

As you prepare for your child to go to school for the very first time it can be very exciting but it’s also an anxious time for both parents and your little ones. It’s a great opportunity to talk about feelings and what we do when we feel a certain way.

Here’s one special way to celebrate the first day of school with Magic Dust for your child.  

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

First Day of School Magic Dust Poem

To help make this transition go smoothly my daughter received a special First Day of School Poem from her teacher that was so precious I wanted to share with you. 

She was so excited about putting her magic dust from her teacher under her pillow all week long that we even had to make a special Count Down to School for the First Day of School.

You can use glitter or star sequins to create this magic dust to put under their pillow. Be sure to print out this first day of school poem below to read along with the magic dust.

Here’s a PRINTABLE Version of the available for just $1.50. FREE THIS WEEK!!!!!

First Day of School Tips for Parents

Check out this video for tips about the importance of reading books to help your child get ready for the First Day of School.

At the end of this video, you can take a peek of my daughter reading the Magic Dust poem the night before her first day of Kindergarten. (we were pretty surprised how many words she was able to read in the poem, typically you will want to read it with them to help out.)

Magic Dust Ingredients

• star sequins or extra fine white glitter or white glitter sand
• small glass jar or fairy dust jar
• small ziplock baggy

Just add a little pinch of the magic dust under their pillow in the small ziplock baggy to make the magic happen. We were feeling a little extra anxious so we also sent a little in her lunchbox too.

Here are the options for the Magic Dust Poem to download. They are available in white, gray and rose, when you purchase you will get all three options.

We’re making this download FREE for Back to School 2025. (For this week only)

Book Recommendations for Preparing for the First Day of School

Reading with your child about the first day of school and the things that they can expect in their new classroom can also help with anxieties.

Here are a few of my favorite First Day of School books that I encourage you to read with your child.

The Night Before Kindergarten by Julie Durrell

First Day Jitters (Mrs. Hartwells classroom adventures) by Julie Danneberg

On the First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe

The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing 

Mouse’s First Day of School by Lauren Thompson

 The Kissing Hand (The Kissing Hand Series) by Audrey Penn

Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten  by Joseph Slate

Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois

A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen

Explore even more of my favorite Back to School Books for Kids here!

First Day of School Printable Book

My daughter and I talked about school a lot this summer to help prepare her for her Kindergarten experience.

We made a special “Going to School” Book by writing the text together about different parts of a school day and illustrating it together. She wanted to read it again and again with me as we talked about the various parts of Kindergarten.

PRINT  your own First Day of School Book  {HERE} for $1.50 FREE THIS WEEK !!!!!

Hope this helps your little one feel confident as they begin their school experience. Talking about the experience and sharing it through books and role play can help to make the transition easier for everyone.

Additional First Day of School Resources

• 16 Adorable First Day of School Books
• Back to School STEM Activities
• Back to School Resources for Parents
• First Day of School Quote and Magnet Idea
• Tips for Making Friends at School  
• 100+ Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School 
• Sending a Smart Kid to Kindergarten
• Does Your Child’s Kindergarten List Compare?  
• Preparing for School Brings Emotions for Both Parents and Children 
• 9 Back to School Tips for a Busy Family 

What are you going to do at your house to get ready for the First Day Of School?

It’s hard to believe that the summer is almost over and it’s time to start getting our kids ready for school. We’ve been busy cherishing our summer memories but reality hit me as I walked through the Back to School Section at Target that school is starting very soon.

Are you ready? What grade will your child be starting?

Back to School Tips for a Busy Family

After spending 10 years in a classroom and 29 as a mom here are a few tips that will get your school year off on the right foot.

1. Make the First Day of School Part of Your Discussion

Start talking about school a few weeks before the first day of school. New teacher, new classmates, and new schedules can create some anxiety with kids. The more you make it part of your conversations they will begin to feel comfortable with changes. Print out our First Day of School Personalized Book.

2. Take a Look at Your School’s Website for Teacher’s Names 

Before life gets hectic take a moment with your child to look at the school’s website and see who their grade-level teachers are. No matter which teacher they get it will be helpful for them to know the names of the other teachers in their grade level. Hopefully, the placement letter you provided will help your child get into an ideal environment for their learning style.

3. Add the School Calendar to Your Calendar 

Take time to look at the school’s calendar and add it to your personal calendar. As the year kicks off more events will be added but the basic framework has already been set with holidays and days off. Take a look at your PTA Calendar and see if they’ve already started planning school-wide events too. Knowing what’s coming can help you feel less overwhelmed throughout the school year.

4. Go Back to School Supply Shopping Before School Starts 

The aisles at the stores are packed full of school supplies, take advantage now of your time and shop while the store isn’t as busy. Most places have your child’s school supply list publicly posted so you can get exactly what your child will need. Don’t forget to buy a few extras for homework time or a quick Winter restock in January.

5. Start Your School Routines About Two Weeks Before School Starts 

Start working on your bedtime routine that supports your school hours a few weeks before the first day of school.  I saw it year after year with my students, on the 3rd day of school they would all crash and be exhausted the first week of school. The rush of the first day of school was gone and waking up early for school caught up with them.

Start waking up at the time you’ll need for school to give your body time to get adjusted to the new routine of school. Start going to bed earlier too to help make this transition further. Here are a few more morning routine tips.

6. Set Out Your Back to School Clothes for the Week 

Avoid missing socks and mismatched clothes each morning but set out your clothes on the weekend with your child. It helps them to understand what matches and gets them organized for their week.  Mornings will run so much smoother when you already know what you’re wearing. Here’s our system for storing clothes.

7. Set Up a Station for School Lunches 

Get your child involved in making their school lunch each night.  Packing a lunch each day can be so much easier if you find ways to get your child part of the process. Set up stations for them to choose from like this. You can also peek at your school’s lunch options for hot lunch, your child will discover a few meals that they like at school.

Check out our Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School 

8. Set Up a Homework ZONE  

Create a spot for success this school year by setting up a homework zone where you child can do their homework each day.  A personalized bulletin board can be a fun way to get your child excited for back to school.  Have a spot where you keep pencils, crayons, scissors, glue stick, ruler, paper. Consistency will help with homework success this school year.

9. Attend Meet the Teacher

Meet the teacher is a great event to calm the nerves of both parent and child. It is a chance to peek into your child’s classroom, meet other families who will be in class with your child, preview the curriculum and say hi to the teacher. Explore these helpful Tips for Meet the Teacher

Be sure to add Open House Night to your calendar to attend too.

BONUS TIP: Use a Little First Day of School Magic Dust 

Here’s a sweet first day of school poem that your child will on their night before school starts.  You can print it here.

It’s time for Back to School Shopping!  Are you ready?  

Back to School Resources for Busy Families

• Magic Dust for the First Day of School
• Back to School STEM Activities
• First Day of School Books
• Back to School Printable for Kids 
• Back to School Shopping Tips 
• Pencil Themed Literacy Game and Craft
• Top Ten Back to School Tips for Home and School
• DIY First Day of School Sign
• Back to School Photo Prop Ideas 
• Back to School Reading Interview Printable  
• Back to School Activities and Resources for Parents
• Back to School Quote and Magnet Idea
• Give a Teacher Supply Box
• Back to School Lunch Organization
• After School Snacks for Back to School
• Tips for Making Friends at School
• ABC’s of Open House for Parents
• 100+ Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School
• Teaching Kids How to Make Friends
• Sending a Smart Kid to Kindergarten
• Does Your Child’s Kindergarten List Compare?
• Preparing for School Brings Emotions for Both Parents and Children

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dixie. The opinions and text are all mine. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Back to School Traditions – Friday Night Family Barbecue

I’d like to say that I made a fancy sign for them to hold on their first day of school (does holding up fingers count?) or made them a special first day breakfast (um – cereal?), but the thing is, our lives our busy and sometimes we just have to make an effort to enjoy more moments just with each other.

As life with a family of 5 gets hectic, I find that it’s important to stop stressing about the small things. (like how I look in the picture above after a full day of mommyhood and having a kid photographer)

The truth is, my kids do not need a “Pinterest Worthy” back to school picture in order to remember their first day of school. They will remember my smile after taking a goofy shot to send Grandma and Moms lingering embrace.

My kids do not need homemade cinnamon rolls or waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream, although it does sound good.

My mantra this year is to stress less and enjoy the moments more.

What my kids need is – ME.

Without the stress of making picture-worthy events. Without the stress of rushing to clean up and do dishes. Without the need to impress anyone.

They need to have me in the moment, cherishing time with family. I’m lucky to have them in my life and need to take time during the busy moments to embrace the moment.

So in lieu of all the extravagant back to school traditions, we are kicking it back to the basics this year with an end of the first week of school Family Night Barbecue.

It didn’t take much planning at all.

Steps to Organize a Family Night BBQ for Back to School

STEP 1: Ask your family what they would like to eat on the grill.

STEP 2: Get the kids to make a table decoration.

1. Grab a piece of card stock
2. Fold in half.
3. Let them write the words and
4. Decorate it.

STEP 3: Assemble a tray with Dixie plates and silverware, vegetables, fruit, and any needed buns.

If you have more time you can also make a side salad using these simple recipes for Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe, Potato Salad, or Old-Fashioned Three Bean Salad.

STEP 4: Grill.

Doesn’t everyone grill and serve certified Angus beef filet mignons on paper plates?
(That way my choice! The kids wanted hot dogs)

STEP 5: Sit down and enjoy the meal.

My husband walked through the door just as I was setting the food on the table…

WHAT? Filet Mignon on paper plates???

You bet honey!  A delicious meal and no one’s doing dishes tonight

STEP 6: Talk about your first week of school

• What are your classmates’ names?
• What is your favorite subject to learn about so far?
• What do you hope to learn this year?
• In 3 words, how would you describe your first week of school?

STEP 7: Then clean up! Which takes only a few seconds!

STEP 8: GAME TIME… because we saved time on clean-up using Dixie Plates – we were able to play a game of Spot It before snuggling up with a good back to school book and heading to bed.

Back to School BBQ Ideas

• Steak and Mango Salsa Flatbread
• Healthier Potato Salad
• Kale and Orzo Pasta Salad
• Salad Bar Ideas
• Delicious and Easy Appetizers

Family Notes:

Although we typically use glass plates, it’s really nice to bring out the disposable Dixie products for a really quick cleanup. Back to school can be hectic and stressful. Those extra few minutes that would have been spent doing dishes were instead spent snuggling with kiddos.

It’s important to find the balance. My kids need me present in the moment. Family gatherings should be cherished and enjoyed by all!

Dixie believes nothing should interrupt family moments. Gather around your loved ones, linger a little longer, and be more here.

You may also enjoy these activities…

Every day it’s something you have to think about when you have kids and what you’re going to send with them to school or even at home too.

Here are some of our favorite lunch box ideas for kids. We’ve gathered our top lunch box idea PINS just for you!

Don’t forget to pin it for ideas all school year long!

School Lunches can become a little boring at times to make for kids. Day by day we take a peek in the fridge and pantry and try to decide what to put into their lunch box that they might actually eat. Having a plan for what you’re packing each day can be one of the keys to success.

Being organized and creative are two elements that will be a big hit with your kids.

Finding ways to get them involved in the kitchen like in making homemade sushi, alphabet soup or even tuna salad without mayo can be a lot of fun.

Top Lunch Box Ideas on Pinterest

Follow The Educators’ Spin On It’s board Help for Packing School Lunches on Pinterest.

Let’s be honest though sometimes it’s hard to come up with new ideas. Pinterest can be such a great source for finding inspiration for kid’s lunches. I thought it might be fun to feature my top kid’s lunch box ideas for you to get ready for back to school time with your family.  

Be sure to FOLLOW our Pinterest board for the latest Lunch Box Ideas!

Top Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School

We’re sharing our top most pinned and favorite lunchbox ideas for back-to-school that have been featured on our boards. Take a peek and see which one inspired you to pin too so that lunchtime can be a little bit easier this year for school.

Using a Printable Magnetic Lunch Chart from Martha Stewart can make meal planning easier. Getting kids involved can encourage better eaters.

Many of us are looking for budget friendly ideas for lunch. Brown Bag School Lunches on a Budget from Snack Picks.com shares her tips for staying on track with lunches.

Sometimes finding one ingredient your child loves is a way to start sneaking in healthy ingredients.  Here are 13 Ways to use Tortilla for Back to School Lunches from Evolving Motherhood.

Encouraging your child to help pack lunches using Simple Solutions for Healthy School Lunches from The Educators’ Spin On It can be a huge time saver. I’ve even included a list of what to shop for to keep in containers for quick access for snack time too.

These cold lunch ideas for kids will make lunchtime as fun as it is yummy. Fifteen different lunch ideas that can be put together ahead of time so packing your child’s lunch will be a breeze every day.

Finding fun ingredients that kids enjoy can be a challenge.  Here are Lunchbox Ideas that Kids Love from Family Fresh Meals.

25 Best Back to School Lunches from Remodelaholic with her favorites for what to include in these adorable Bento Boxes!

One peek in a school cafeteria and you’ll see it’s getting more difficult to expose your child to healthier items.  Here are 100 Healthy, Delicious and Easy Lunchbox Ideas from Family Fresh Cooking to get you started.

Take moment to print off this Printable Lunch Box Idea List. While you’re there check out the 1000+ Bento Lunch Ideas from the Bento Gallery at Wendolonia.

Here’s an easy way to have a whole month of lunch planned with 30 Days of Lunch Boxes from Peanut Blossom.

Finding new ways to make lunch can be so much easier with these 50 Tips and Tricks for Packing School Lunches from Love from the Oven

A month of school lunches already planned from  you makes the job a no brainer, love this Month of School Kid Approved School Lunches from Mom Endeavors.

Many schools have begun to request peanut free foods for the lunchroom.  Here are 15 Peanut Free Lunch Ideas from Smart School House.

Don’t forget about planning for After School Snacks. Here are 20 On the Go Healthy Snack Ideas from Let’s Lasso the Moon.

Tips for Success for Packing School Lunches

Think about it, we need to pack a school lunch for 180 days, trust me we need resources to turn to! That’s not even counting all the other days we’re just home with our kids on the weekends and summertime. 

My biggest tip as a mom of 3 and a teacher for over 10 years is to make healthy choices with your child for their lunches.

• Get Kids Involved– The more you encourage them to be involved the more they are likely to eat what you packed. Have a few things they can help put into their lunches when you’re packing them. Click here for ideas
• Easy Open Containers– Select containers and items that they can open independently. Sometimes that means practicing at home before hands for a few days.
• Label Lunch Box & Containers– It’s the easiest way to ensure all your costly lunch items are returned to their owner if they get left anywhere.
• Pack Healthy Items– Make healthy choices with the items you’re choosing, it’s brain power for your child as they are learning throughout their school day.
• Avoid Peer Pressure– You will hear all sorts of stories about what each student is allowed to bring to school in their lunches.  Go with your instinct and pack what you know is best for your child’s health.  Many prepackaged items are packed with sodium and ingredients that our kids don’t need to consume.
• Pick a Fun Theme– Sometimes it’s fun to pick a theme for lunch.  Cookie cutters, napkins and toothpicks can be the easiest way to add a little fun.

Pinterest can be an amazing source to come up with new ideas for Lunch for Kids with so many parents pinning new ideas they read on sites and also bloggers pinning their own ideas. It’s a WIN WIN for parents.

To find even more ideas be sure to FOLLOW our Helping for Packing School Lunch Pinterest Board at The Educators’ Spin On It. 

Lunch Box Options for Kids

Here are a few of my favorite lunch products to pack lunch with!

Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links for easy shopping for you. 

Wishing you the best as you begin your school year with happy tummies and growing minds!

Click now for more Back to School Resources for Parents

As a former teacher, and mom to 3 – I’ve gone through more than a few meet the teacher events. 

Here are some of the best Meet the Teacher Tips for parents.

We applied for our daughter to be enrolled at a local charter school with a healthy living focus. Unfortunately, we didn’t “win” the lottery in the spring. They called us the week before school started and with an open spot. We said “Yes!” 

Although I wasn’t excited about a full-day kindergarten, I was happy at the opportunities she will have. 

The school believes in educating the “whole child” and starts the day with Yoga, allows only healthy foods and gives children the opportunity to play.

Needless to say, we were all a little nervous. It was our first kid, first time in school, first time as a parent at a meet-the-teacher event. Luckily, I’ve done quite a few Meet the Teacher events as the teacher, so I knew a little bit of what to expect.

*Amazon Affiliate Link included in this post*

Meet the Teacher Tips: Making the Most of Meet the Teacher

1. Show up a few minutes early.

This will give you and your child a moment to take a deep breath, exchange a hug, and put on your happy faces.

2. Listen and only ask questions pertinent to the whole class.

If you would like to know the school’s daily schedule and the teacher didn’t talk about it – ASK.  If you want to know how the teacher will be able to keep your strong willed child focused and organized – SAVE this question for a private meeting either in-person or by phone.

The meet the teacher is a very general get-to-know you meeting and is NOT for 1:1 conferencing.

3. Sign up to volunteer.

I’ve got 3 kids and it is near impossible for me to volunteer in the classroom.  I always put my contact information on the list and offer to cut and prepare projects at home. I was sent home from Meet the Teacher with a stack of papers and asked to make these stars.

I love that her teacher was willing to welcome me into the classroom community in the capacity that I was able to handle.

4. Ask for the classroom wish list.

If your family is in a financially sound place, ask the teacher if there is a classroom wish list or supplies that need to be purchased for the classroom. Many times teachers purchase items for their classroom with their own pocket money.  

When parents can help out – teachers are able to do more science projects, hands-on art, and maybe even cook with the kids.

5. Take pictures of the classroom.

This may sound silly, but I like to take pictures of the classroom and print them out. We can make a home-made book with them and use the images to prompt discussions. These pictures also come in handy when you ask your child what they did all day.

I just take the class pictures out and ask her to point to the station she went to and have her tell me about it.

6. Take a picture of the class list of students

Take a picture of the class list that the teacher or school has posted. This is a quick way to help learn all the kid’s names as a parent and also be able to help your child begin to make new friends at school.

You can use it for making a Personalized First Day of School Book.

7. Find the Positives

There is NO perfect school. There is NO perfect teacher. I start at Meet the Teacher by looking for the positives and making a mental note of them.

Is your child’s teacher organized?
Did they smile when your child walked in the door?
Do they seem excited about the school year?
Is there something about the curriculum you enjoy?

Take note.

There will be things throughout the school year that are not “perfect.”

For example, I love the way that my daughter’s kindergarten teacher combines Montessori and Traditional Education. She is also the sweetest teacher and I feel like my baby will have many opportunities to learn and grow in a safe and caring environment. 

When I’m frustrated about something that happens in the classroom, then I will make sure to remember these positive attributes.

If you need to you can also Request a Change in Classroom Placement.

7. Talk about “meet the teacher” with your child

After you have the opportunity to attend Meet the Teacher, and talk with your child about it. Ask questions. Point out the positive things you noticed.

In addition to talking to our daughter about her new classroom, we also read stories about starting school. My husband and I have tried to answer her questions and talk to her about what kindergarten is like.

I think the best advice was when she asked her Papa, “What do I do if I miss Mommy and am sad?” His response was, “Cry!” I was a little shocked at his answer, but my daughter busted out laughing.

I don’t think either of us expected him to say cry. But he followed it up with an explanation, “If you are sad, it is OK to cry. Sometimes it may help you feel better and then you will have an awesome day.”

WOW – isn’t that the truth and I don’t think I could have given her any better advice. 

It is ok to be nervous. 

It is o.k. to have questions.  (both parents and kids)

Did I miss any Meet the Teacher Tips? Leave a comment below and let us know how your Meet the Teacher event went!

Are you looking for more back to school resources?  We recommend:

• Kindergarten Supply List
• Open House Tips for Parents
• Morning Routines for School
• First Day of School Books
• First Day of School Poem

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Creating Effective Morning Routine for School Days

Parenting an elementary school child is tons of fun! They crave independence, are helpful (most of the time), and can do many things on their own (like getting dressed, pouring cereal, putting their shoes on). BUT, my elementary school child likes to do things on her own time, which can cause some problems if you’re like us and need to be out of the house by a certain time.

Here are some helpful tips for getting kids ready for school in the mornings:

1. Plan ahead and have a routine. This will help to reduce stress and make the morning go more smoothly.
2. Lay out clothes and pack lunches the night before. This will save time in the morning.
3. Have a healthy breakfast. This will help kids stay focused and alert during the day.
4. Give kids plenty of time to wake up and get ready. This will help them avoid feeling rushed.
5. Be positive and encouraging. This will help kids start their day off on the right foot.

What My Elementary School Child is Like in the Morning

My 2nd grader is an awesomely creative kid, but not the highest functioning in the mornings. Our morning routines consisted of me making breakfast, getting all 3 kids dressed, teeth brushed, fed, and out the door.  I was giving way to many verbal reminders and there was just a feeling of stress all around, which isn’t a great way for anyone to start their day.

I felt like I was nagging.

She felt like I was nagging.

Our tone of our voices were not kind and loving.

Tears were shed.

When she was younger, we used to draw pictures to give her visual clues for expectations, on a whim one night last week, I made this checklist for her and set it on the table.

Using a Checklist for a More Effective Morning Routine

She woke up, trudged to the table, and slumped down by the empty bowl (I set as much out the night before as I can).  I could tell she read it because she moaned, “I need a pen.”  Chuckling to myself (I am a morning person) I handed her one. She set it beside the paper, ate her breakfast, and checked off that part of the list.

Then, she went to the bathroom and brushed her hair and her own teeth, ran to the sheet, and checked off that line. Continuing through the list, she didn’t once need a verbal reminder or fuss about any step.  It was AMAZING! She was ready and waiting at the door at 7:00 while I put her brother’s shoes on.

 In her sweetest voice,  she asked, “Would you please laminate the list so I can use it again tomorrow?”

Admittedly, our list isn’t the prettiest, but I think that is what makes it special!  She has used it consistently for a week with absolutely no complaints.  As we get better in our routines, I believe that she will rely less on the list, but it is laminated for her – just in case.

If your weekdays out-the-door routines are stressful – take time to think about what you can do to make them go smoother this weekend.  You could make a picture list for a non-reader, set clothing choices out the night before, write down a breakfast menu for the week, or even write a special message on your fridge to keep you in a positive mood.

Sometimes a little preparation on parents’ part makes a world of difference.

Now is the time for PARENTING WITH PURPOSE!

UPDATE: We have now used this morning checklist for 2 weeks. I have no idea what I did without it.  Although all of our morning routines are a little different – I made a prettier version to share!

What do YOU do to make your mornings a happy, non-stressful part of your day???

Are you looking for more back to school resources?  We recommend:

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As we head back-to-school this year, the topic of how to make friends once again becomes the focus of our character development conversations around the dinner table. Friends are an important part of our lives. They bring value to our lives in numerous ways.

As my children get prepared to start a new academic school year, we focus on remembering how to make new friends.

How to Make Friends

Although my children are extraverts, they have struggled at different times throughout their early childhood years with making and keeping friends (hey, I’m an adult and I am still practicing this skill of making new friends) 

These are our tried and true methods for making friends:

Tips for teaching kids on how to make friends.

1. Smile

Yes, this sounds so very simple, but our number one tip for making new friends is to “look friendly” to others – one way to do this is to smile. If you are in a classroom with 20 new children, a smile can be a ray of sunshine in your day.  If you are a little nervous about making new friends, a smile may give you a boost of confidence as it is a reminder that you are a kind and happy person that others want to spend time with.

2. Listen to what the other person has to say.  

This is a big deal in our house. We find that the kids are so excited to talk that they forget to listen.  We are practicing being a good listener:

• maintaining eye contact
• repeating back what we hear
• not interrupting
• asking questions about what the other person has to say

3. Be Yourself.  

My kids are funny, quirky and creative.  It is my hope that they find friends who value who they are on the inside.  It is important when making friends to be yourself. Not every child will connect with each other in the same way.  If you don’t like horses and someone asks if you do, do not pretend to like them. Be honest.  Your friendships will have a stronger beginning. *I find that the kids start to notice this more around 2nd grade, but some do earlier.

4. Ask others to play with you. 

My daughter had a really hard time making friends last year.  It was a new school and friendships had already formed.  She really felt sad about not having anyone to play with on the playground.  We practiced inviting each other to come play with us and she eventually starting asking children to come play with her on the parallel bar.

5. Say Hello and Good Morning.  

These words are simple and a great way to start connecting with others. Practice saying them at home prior to school. Make it part of your daily routine and soon your child will be saying them too. 

ACTIVITY: Write about Making Friends

Kids as young as toddlers can help write and draw about making friends. In fact, this activity is one of my favorite first week of school activities to do with kids from preschool to first grade.  You could illustrate several pages each day and combine them together at the end of the week for a delightful home-made book that children can re-read with family members.

CLICK HERE FOR ECE PRINTABLES including the Friends Can booklet

For younger children: limit the pages to 4.  Encourage them to trace 2 circles on each page to represent the friends.

For older children: allow them to complete the book independently.  Encourage them to write and label their drawings.

Learning Objective: Create a DIY book to represent being a good friend with drawings and words.

Focus Skills

• fine motor
• creativity
• writing
• early literacy
• book making

Materials Needed

• Scissors
• Stapler
• Crayons
• Copy of the Friends Can book. This activity is a printable available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Directions to make the DIY Friends Can Book.

1. Print a set of Friends can booklet.
2. Stack the booklet in the order you want the pages to appear.
3. Staple the left side.
4.  Read the pages with your child. Let the child illustrate each page.

After I print the Friendship books out, I set them out in the writing center for the children to work on in small groups. Here is what our center looked like:

Each child completed their own friendship book.

If you are short on time, you could have each child work on one page, then assemble it to make a class friendship book as well.

I like that this activity allows for children to participate even though they are on different academic levels.

Toddlers are learning the vocabulary of friendship and how to use a variety of writing utensils. Their pictures may be mostly scribbles with some lines and circles forming.

Preschooler – Kindergarteners are forming bodies and faces. They are able to grasp more abstract concepts of friendship.  I would encourage children of this age to use a minimum of one color per age. If you are 4 years old, then 4 colors should be used. (this paper is still a work in progress). If they have forgotten important details of people, hand them a mirror and encourage them to double-check their illustrations of body parts!

Here’s an example of what Kindergarten writing looks like.

Grade Schoolers – are really past this book, but my oldest wanted to participate too. I never turn away a kid who wants to draw, write and read. These activities allow children to express their creativity.  For struggling readers, making a book for a younger child is a great way to provide opportunities for them to interact with text at their level without being “too young.” When having older children write alongside younger children, it also provides a model for them as well. Extend their learning by having them write a story in paragraph form about how to make and keep friends.

Picture Books about Friendship for Preschoolers

Reading books about friendship with your child is a great way to start a discussion on how the characters in the story made new friends. Ask questions during the story such as: What do you think ___ will do? How would you handle the situation?

Affiliate links included to books:

A Dance of Friendship (Angelina Ballerina) I love Angelina in that she is always such a kind mouseling. This book introduces how to deal with friendship and feelings of jealousy. Read more here

Franklin’s New FriendWhen the moose family moves in, Franklin is initially a bit afraid of moose because of his size.  When the two get to know each other, they realize that despite their differences, they become new friends.  Read more here

Learning to Be a Good Friend: A Guidebook for Kids (Elf-Help Books for Kids)This book is part of a series of stories designed to help children navigate through life situations.  A good springboard for parent / child discussions.  Read more here

Friends: Making Them & Keeping Them (American Girl) Geared for girls 7+, this book covers friendship issues common to grade school girls. Read more here

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? This story is a perfect introduction to SHOWING young kids how to play with dinosaurs, I mean friends. Geared for children ages 3-5, but would be enjoyed by older and younger children as well. Read more here

Llama Llama Time to Share This book is set in the cute rhythmic pattern of all llama llama books. It is set in a home environment, making it perfect for young children in a homeschooling setting. Read more here

How to Make Friends from the Teach ECE Education Blogger Team:

We are teachers, moms, and homeschoolers of young children sharing FREE resources to parents, teachers, and educators every Wednesday. Stop by any of our blogs for new lesson plans each week.

Here is our Preschool Schedule:

Find on social media using the hashtag #TeachECE

Role Playing How to Be a Good Friend by Mom Inspired Life
Songs About Friendship for Kinder and Pre-K by Capri +3
Teaching Kids About Friendship and Being a Good Friend by Raising Lifelong Learners
Making Friends: Teaching Kids to Learn and Respect Different Names by Munchkins and Moms
How to Play with Friends a Preschoolers Visual Guide and Game by Powerful Mothering
Helping Your Homeschooler Socialize by Still Playing School
Making Friends Even When You Are Homeschooled by Learning 2 Walk
Book Friends by Growing Book by Book
Tips for Helping Preschoolers BE a Good Friend! #TeachECE by The Preschool Toolbox BlogFree Friends Play Dough Printable by Life Over C’s
Working Together to Create a Classroom Community by Fun-A-Day!
Teaching Kids How to Make Friends by The Educators’ Spin On It

You may also find these guides helpful for Back to School…

It’s a fun way to get them involved in making a keepsake for the first day of school.  

Here’s how to make… 

DIY First Day of School Sign

Create a number sign that represents the grade that they are entering using your child’s creativity.  Plus helps them to prepare for the new school year as you share and talk about it with your child.  

Materials for First Day of School Sign:

• Recycled Cereal Box
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Washi Tape or Duck Tape
• Wooden dowel or kabob stick
• (Paint optional)

Directions for First Day of School Sign:

1. Find a recycled cereal box to use to create the number. 
2. Have your child or you draw the number on the cardboard of the grade they are entering. 
3. Cut out the number using scissors. 
4. Then take washi tape and have your child cover the number with their own design!

5. Optional: For Pre-K lettering we used a kabob stick with the sharp end removed to attach all the letters together. 
6. Use for your First Day of School Photos
7. Hang up on the refrigerator or in your child’s room to celebrate the beginning of the school year. 

The First Day of School is the classic picture that we’ve all grown up with and are enjoying new ways to take them with our children today.  This First Day of School Number idea is a fun and easy way to prepare your child for starting school. 

Here are a few book suggestions for the First Day of School to help you prepare your child. 

One important thing is to know what the standards are for the school year that your child is entering and discuss it with your child. 

Here’s a link to the Department of Education where you can find all sorts of resources about Education. Wishing you the best as you begin the school year!

We’d love for you to follow all year long too at our Playful Preschool and After School resources.

For more First Day of School ideas for Back to School we invite you to visit

• First Day of School Interview
• First Day of School Books
• The Night Before School Poem and Book Ideas
• Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School
• Back to School Resources
• First Day of School Magnet Idea

PRINT HERE for First Day of School Coloring Sheet

First Day of School Ideas for Kids