By Joe Nathan
Looking for a few quick, cheap ways to help your youngsters have a better year in school? Here are four "aís that may be useful.

ANTICIPATION: Most schools will start the day after Labor Day ñ but that does not mean youngsters should follow their summer schedule until the night before school begins. Like the Twins in spring training, or the Vikings this summer, preparation helps. That means, among other things, that youngsters should begin following a "close to school" schedule a few days ahead of time. Otherwise, young people who are used to staying up late will have a challenging first week as they become accustomed to getting up much earlier than they did in the summer.

Anticipation also means that if you children are attending a new school, going to visit for 30 minutes ahead of time is a very good idea. Finding rest rooms, locker, lunchroom and classrooms ahead of time can ease anxiety and make for a much better first week.

ACCLAIM: Young people do far better when praised for their accomplishments. Bland, blanket praise can be counterproductive. But recognizing real progress and accomplishments helps young people be more positive, happier, and open.

Think about children learning to crawl, and then walk. Praise is a vital part of that process. Children may not comment when we thank them for keeping a room clean, or praise them for a fine math paper. But they notice. And done right, praise has a very positive impact.

ADVOCATE: Yes, we should stand with and for our children. Educators naturally pay attention to who shows up at parent/teacher conferences, who shows up at PTA meetings, etc.

Educators also generally appreciate parents who help build connections between the school and other community groups. For example, parents with whom I worked helped our school with various field trips, speakers, publicity, donated equipment and cash donations. Most schools welcome this kind of thing. While advocacy can be carried too far, it is important for children to know that their parents do care, and are ready to work hard with others for them, and for their school.

ACCEPT: Many of the most successful people in the world had parents who encouraged them to explore and identify areas of interest and strength. This means, in part, that we should accept our children may, or may not be interested or excited about the sports or hobbies that particularly interest us. So even if we are great at things like hockey or weaving, youngsters may not inherit our talents or interests. The wisest parents will help young people explore, and accept their decisions about things like extracurricular interests.

These "four aís" wonít guarantee a perfect year. But they will help reduce stress and lead to a happier home and school.

Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota jnathan@hhh.umn.edu

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