School

• Provide healthy food and a safe, secure environment for your child.
• Help your child learn to make friends and get along with others by offering him or her lots of opportunities for play with adults and with other children.
• Allow your child to learn at the rate that is best for him or her. There's no need to push formal academic skills too early.
• Provide toys and activities that help your child learn and develop at each age.

Ten things you can do to help your child be ready for school.

• Always respond quickly to your baby's coos or cries.
• Play simple games with your baby, like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
• Provide a safe place for your baby or toddler to roll, crawl, play and explore.
• Read to your child every day and talk about what you are reading.
• Provide puzzles, oversize wooden beads for stringing, blocks and other toys.
• Provide drawing and art materials to help your child develop prewriting skills.
• Encourage pretend play such as "Let's pretend we're going to the store."
• Play rhyming games to help your child notice similar sounds.
• Ask your child questions that encourage creative thought ("What do you think about...").
• Be sure that your child has regular health checkups, including all recommended shots and immunizations