Whether your child is going to school for the first time, or heading back to school after the long summer break, or even joining a new school, there is bound to be some amount of tears and anxiousness!
Here are some ways in which you can prepare your child (and yourself) for the first day of school:
- Talk with your child about the fun they will have in school, the new things they will learn to do and the friends they will make and get to play with. This will help them look forward to going to school.
- Plan a day out with your little one to buy school supplies. Let them have a say in choosing their stationary or backpack, if possible. They will be excited to go to school and use their new supplies.
- Discuss your child’s new schedule with them ahead of time. Let them know what time school starts and when and who will pick them up. Tell your child that there will be a snack time and playtime and when to expect that.
- Have your child help pick out their outfit and pack their snack box for the first day of school. Does your little one love cheese sticks or sliced strawberries? Include that as part of the snack. Write a little note or make a cute drawing and put it in their bag for them to find later. This is a great way to make them feel special and comforted.
- Make sure your child knows that they can come and talk to you if there is any problem at school. Let them know that it’s okay to be nervous and that other kids will be going through the same emotions.
- If your child has a friend going to the same school arrange for them to go together on the first day. If that isn’t possible, maybe they can meet at the school gate so they can enter together. This way they will have each other for company.
- Make sure that your child and you go to bed on time the night before the first day of school. This way your little one will be well rested and ready to tackle the day ahead, and you will be in the right frame of mind to prepare them for the day.
Change in routine, change in place, change in any form is hard. There will be an adjustment period, so give your child and yourself time to settle. Pretty soon your little one will be enjoying school, and you can look forward to hearing all about their day and the new experiences they are having.