Parents overlook back-to-school activities

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Most U.S. parents say their main back-to-school activity is shopping, not activities recommended to help children prepare for school, a non-profit group says.

Officials with GreatSchools, a nonprofit organization that says it wants to empower parents to support their children's educational success, said that while nearly all parents shop for back-to-school clothing and supplies, fewer than half find out what their child will be learning, meet their child's teacher, get their child on a nutritional breakfast schedule or increase their child's reading time and reduce their video/computer game playing time.

"Shopping has become synonymous with back to school but parents are searching for more meaningful guidance about preparing their children to transition back to the classroom," Bill Jackson, GreatSchools' founder said in a statement. "GreatSchools is having that conversation with parents by connecting them with practical advice on how to effectively prepare their children."

Some 80 percent of parents seek out educational advice -- most often from schools and teachers -- but many overlook the Internet as a back-to-school resource.

GreatSchools' Back-to-School Countdown at http://www.GreatSchools.net helps children create a "summer brain workout," establish healthy eating patterns and get organized for a school year routine.