"Work together with your child on a scrapbook featuring family photos. Keeping it at school offers a piece of home when your child's blue, or just to share with friends.

A quick note tucked into your child's lunch box can become an important event, first when your child recognizes his name, and again when he rushes to a teacher to read it to him."

Ziomara Perez teaches preschool at Nettelhorst School and is the winner of a 2011 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award.

"Meet with your child's teacher at the beginning of the year; find out their expectations and how you can participate in your child's education.

If you can't volunteer during the day, help set up/clean up an afterschool event, put homework packets together over the weekend, record yourself reading a book for the listening center, etc."

Nicole J. Gorton teaches preschool and kindergarten special education at Ortiz de Dominguez and is the winner of a 2011 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award.