Do you have a question for Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads? Email YOUR question to: info@smartbeginningsshr.org. Please include your name, phone number and email address with your question. Dear Concerned Parent, We all want what’s best for our children, so knowing when they’re ready for school can be a big concern! Remember that being ready for school is a combination of age, growth and experience. Every child develops at his own rate, but you can HELP your child be ready for school. Children need to be socially and physically ready for school, in addition to having exposure to language and numbers. You can help your child by talking to him about the world around you and encouraging him to take on small responsibilities for himself to build independence. Download a copy of the Smart Beginnings’ brochure, I Want to Be Ready, for excellent tips, advice and activities you can do with your child today to help him be ready for school. Dear SBSHR, Are there Parenting Classes in my city? Signed, Concerned Parent Dear Concerned Parent, There are several resources available for Parents in the SHR area. CHKD offers several classes on a variety of topics, including children’s health issues, positive discipline and parenting children with special needs. Classes require registration, but many are free of charge. See the CHKD website at http://www.chkd.org/Classes/ for a schedule. Old Dominion University’s Child Study Center offers monthly “Parent Chats” that are open to the community. Each Chat focuses on a topic and invites parental input and discussion. Upcoming topics include “Stranger Danger,” “Children’s Health” and “Girls’ Self Esteem.” For more information, please email ksquibb@odu.edu. Please also check out our Resource Guide Are you enjoying the Smart Beginnings newsletter? We would appreciate your feedback, click here to particpate in our 6 question survey.