Preparing your children for kindergarten these days involves more than registering them for class and making sure they have school supplies. This includes preparing children physically, mentally and emotionally for school—and should begin long before their first day of kindergarten. That’s why First 5 Sacramento offers parents and caregivers the following tips to help prepare your children to enter school learning:

RESEARCH AND REVIEW

Find out if your family is eligible for no- or low-cost health insurance. Without health insurance, children often do not get the treatment needed for common childhood ailments. It is well documented that healthy children perform better in school. Although rising health insurance costs make access to health care more difficult, programs such as "Healthy Families", "Medi-Cal", and "Healthy Kids" offer no- and low-cost plans for those who qualify. Contact Cover the Kids at 1-866-850-4321 to enroll your child for no-or low-cost health insurance.

IMMUNIZE AND ENROLL

Immunize your child. Protect children from preventable diseases that can cause school absences and/or limit their ability to perform well in class by making sure they are properly immunized. Parents should contact their child’s healthcare provider to begin the immunization process. If the child doesn’t have a regular health care provider, contact Sacramento County’s Department of Health and Human Services at (916) 875-SHOT (7468).

Research local preschool programs in your community and consider enrolling your child in preschool. Quality preschool introduces children to a classroom setting — they learn to share, identify colors and numbers, take turns, raise a hand and focus on tasks. To find a quality preschool call Child Action, Inc. at 369-0191 or online at www.childaction.org. Children who have attended quality preschool already have a jump-start toward success, as group and individual activities provide children with early learning experiences. Also, preschool helps prepare children to adjust to a kindergarten environment since they are used to spending time in the classroom.

BE A TEACHER

Teach your child healthy eating habits and encourage physical activity. Stressing the importance of a nutritious diet and regular exercise will boost your child’s health, increase their level of development and help them stay mentally alert in class.

Make everyday activities learning opportunities. From laundry sorting to grocery shopping to car rides, you can make every moment a learning experience for your child. Take them to public places and encourage social interaction with other kids their age.

KEEP THEM LEARNING AT HOME

Talk to your child. Begin a dialogue with children early on so they can learn how to express their thoughts and emotions appropriately.

Read to your child.

Reading to them on a regular basis helps develop key skills.

Play with your child.

Paint. Draw a picture book. Let them tell you a story. All of these activities support creativity and provide an opportunity for emotional expression.

The above tips are all great ways to make sure children are ready for school throughout the year. For more tips and resources on school readiness programs or how to make the most of your child’s first five years visit First 5 Sacramento’s online Parents Resource Center at www.sackids.saccounty.net or call (916)876-5865.

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages zero to five. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento, a Sacramento County Commission, distributed approximately $17 million in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs.