You are your children’s first teacher, and summer is the perfect time to prepare them for school in the fall, whether they’re starting preschool or making the big leap to kindergarten.

If you have a toddler at home, now is also the time to consider preschool (many are enrolling now). Preschool and early childhood education programs like Head Start are designed to help children develop the academic and social skills they will need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

These programs can also help families by modeling effective parenting and discipline strategies, providing resources and information, and spotting language and other developmental delays that are better addressed early.

Research has shown that a good preschool or early childhood education program can reap dividends down the road. One study that looked at a group of preschool students years later found that they were more likely than their non-preschool peers to finish high school and less likely to be held back a grade, need remedial help and be arrested.

Similar studies have shown the benefits of the therapeutic child care we provide at Childhaven to help infants and preschoolers overcome abuse and neglect. Much of what we do focuses on helping children trust, build relationships, and develop the social and emotional skills they will need in school and in life, including how to behave in a group, express and manage their feelings, and follow a routine.

Here are some summertime activities parents can do with their children to get them ready for that big step in September.

• Read to your child every day.

Engage your child in play and conversation.

Listen to your child and encourage him/her to tell you stories with questions like, “What was your favorite part of the day?”

Play simple games like “I Spy” to name objects, colors and shapes.

Dance to music and sing songs.

Sort objects by shape or color, count, and use clocks and calendars.

Make art and crafts and practice using kid scissors.

Go to the community playground.

Go to the beach (preferably at low tide).

As the count down to kindergarten begins, get your child ready and excited by visiting the new school, walking to the bus stopand going school shopping together.

On that first day, make your goodbye cheerful and brief. Your confidence will help your child feel more secure.

Debra C. Ronnholm is president of Childhaven.