• Teach them manners and respect for others.

• Have them attend pre-school, or a day care before starting kindergarten. That allows children to experience how to behave with others in group settings.

• Long before kindergarten begins, read to youngsters often. Exposure to books helps develop learning-to-read skills.

• Teach them to sit quietly and work on an activity for a while. Coloring, drawing or listening to a story prepares them for the classroom.

• When they’re old enough, encourage participating in sports, such as T-ball or soccer. Sports teaches them to cooperate with others.

• Limit television. Sitting back and being entertained does not engage children physically or intellectually.

Sources: SAD 52 Superintendent Tom Hanson; University of Maine at Farmington Dean of Education Kathy Yardley