Begin talking to your child about the start of school several weeks beforehand. Introduce the idea casually and guide your discussions toward specifics over time. Try not to overwhelm your child with too much information at once.
Read books about starting school and the emotions related to the event. Ask your child questions about the book and encourage her to ask you questions. "Franklin Goes to School" by Paulette Bourgeois and "Countdown to Kindergarten" by Alison McGhee address common fears about the first day of school.
Take your child to the school for a tour if possible. Show him where his classroom, the bathrooms and the front office are.
Lay out the routine your child can expect at school. If you can, contact your child's teacher and get a copy of the daily schedule. Let your child know the general order of her day.
Allow your child to go school supply shopping with you. Let her pick the color of her backpack and pencil case. This can make the idea of going to school more exciting.her
Be excited for your child. You may be feeling fearful or sad, but your child does not need to know this. Express how happy and proud you are that he is starting school.