I remember the anticipation of my children starting kindergarten so vividly, exciting and stressful at the same time! It is a big step for moms and their little ones and also the official start of their children’s school career. It’s no wonder moms want everything to go well.

Here are 8 tips for moms of new kids in kindergarten:

1. Socialize before school starts
Get together with friends who will be starting kindergarten at the same time as your child before the school year begins. By giving your child many opportunities to socialize and interact in groups of children, he will be better prepared to join 20 or more children, especially if this is his first time in a large group. Having a friend or acquaintance on the first day can be a great comfort to new students.

2. Smart package
Keep things simple when it comes to your child’s lunch box and backpack. While it can be tempting to create Pinterest-worthy artwork for lunch, remember that lunch breaks are short and little ones don’t eat fast. Make sure he knows how to open his own containers and that he gives him food that he will surely swallow. You don’t want her to go hungry because she can’t open the yogurt or thermos and she’s too shy to ask for help. Also, make sure her backpack is the right size for her so she won’t have a hard time carrying it with her.

3. Connect with your child’s teacher
Strive to personally contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible, and be sure to give them essential information about your child, such as allergies, special conditions, or even little fears. Teachers appreciate the additional information as it can make a big difference in the daily rhythm of the classroom and in your child’s day.

4. Teach basic self-care
Talk to your child about going to the bathroom, washing hands, sneezing into the arm instead of hands, and other self-help skills like tying shoes, zipping, and buttoning clothes. For many children, kindergarten may be their first time doing these things outside the home.

5. Practice skills
Give your child lots of practice with typical school tools like scissors, glue sticks, markers, etc. before school starts. These great skills are not only great, but will also help you focus more on learning rather than just working on the basic mechanics of using these items.

6. Foster responsibility
Your child is never too young to help and it is never too early to start! Teach her how to clean up after snacks or lunch, how to sort toys and books in her room, and empty her backpack at the end of the day. When school starts, he will be better prepared for what is expected of him during the daily routine.

7. Get the layout of the land
Most schools offer an orientation day for prospective kindergarten students. This is a great opportunity to ease any first-day nervousness that you and your child may have. Visit her classroom, find out where she will put her belongings, where she will have lunch, and more. This will help her feel much more comfortable on the first day of school.

8. Participate
Classroom volunteer time is the best way to get to know your child’s teacher and classmates better, plus you can catch a glimpse of daily life in the classroom (and you can spy on your girl too). Spend some of your time helping out with reading or special crafts – teachers always appreciate the extra hands for the first few years, and it feels great to do too.