Some back-to-school tips as we settle into the new year

I'll share some advice from the parents and experts, who have offered some great thoughts here over the last couple of weeks, along with some other favorites. They include advice from the moms and long-time teachers behind Tailored Enrichment Kids and the dad behind StudyRight.

Another tip that I like to remind parents, especially those with preschoolers, kindergartners and young grade schoolers who have a hard time getting out the door in the morning, is the usefulness of a routine chart.

Project Enlightenment, Wake County schools' early childhood and intervention program, has kits that you can use to create the charts to keep track of the various things they need to do such as getting dressed, eating breakfast and brushing their teeth. This fantastic resource for Wake County parents is open on weekdays and until 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Check the website for more information about their production area, which has other kits and educational games for teachers and parents.