CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS

	To help children prepare for kindergarten, researchers
studying children's transition to school have compiled the following
list of things to do:

	Read to child regularly.
	Encourage successful interactions with playmates.  
	Encourage children to communicate their needs and wants
clearly.
	Stimulate child's imagination by providing age-appropriate
learning materials.
	 Give child sense of security by establishing clearly
defined limits and regular routines, such as bedtime.

	Give child variety of experiences, such as museums, movies,
parks and 	 	  	          	acquaintances. 

	Display positive attitude and interest in the child's
school.  Meet and stay in touch with the child's teacher.

	 "A parent's attitude about school lays the foundation for
what the child will experience.  If the parent is positive and
upbeat about school, the child will feel good about the experience,"
said Robert C. Pianta, director of two national early childhood
research projects.


August 7, 1996