Attendance is important to support school learning! Here are some things families can do to boost good attendance:

• Help your child get into the habit of regular routines that encourage early bedtimes and wake-up times.
• Teach your child that unless they are truly sick, attending school is non-negotiable.
• Plan for how to get your child to school in times of need or emergencies, such as partnering with another family member to drop off the children and pick them up.
• Plan non-urgent medical appointments and extended trips when school not in session.
• Contact your child’s teacher and let them know how to reach you.

Ask about the school’s attendance policy and discuss any concerns you may have.

Absences in very small numbers are expected and unavoidable. Even teachers themselves have days where a substitute teacher fills in! Tardies can also be unavoidable, especially if you live far from the school, don’t have easy access to transportation, or simply have trouble waking up early due to late nights at work or your own school. It’s understandable, and you’re not alone in these struggles.

It’s when children start missing 10% (or 2 days every month) of school that issues can arise - and this habit can start as early as kindergarten. When children miss 10% or more of the school year, or start to rack up multiple tardies, they can fall behind. Attending school regularly will help keep children on track and teach them good habits for elementary, middle, and high school.

As an anxious child growing up, I would often try to use stomachaches and headaches as an excuse to stay home. If your child starts complaining of these illnesses, keep in mind that it may be a sign of anxiety or something troubling going on at school. If your child seems anxious, talk to their teachers and school counselors for advice. Allowing your child to stay home may seem tempting, but it can also worsen their anxiety over time. You can help by making it clear to your child that you are there to support them and that they can talk to you about anything that may be going on. If the problem continues, seek out the advice of your pediatrician.

Remember, you don’t have to strive for perfect attendance, but good attendance is important. Not only does it help the child succeed better with learning and routines, but it can also help your child later in life with navigating bigger classrooms and, eventually, workplaces. The routines your child develops early will continue throughout their school career and will help them gain early reading and math skills, build relationships, and become the amazing people they will be in the future!