It's your child's first full day of school - where has the time gone? Your child may experience all kinds of different emotions as the the first day of school approaches. It is difficult to predict just how your child will handle the separation from you for his or her first day of kindergarten. If you are lucky, your child will skip off happily with barely a glance towards your direction. Other children might cling to you with sheer terror on their faces. Anxiety is a normal reaction to starting school and parents can help to prepare their children for this big day.
What you can do to prepare your child for the first day of school? Starting school is a big step for many children and there are ways that parents can help to make this transition as easy as possible for their children.
Talk about Kindergarten. In the weeks prior to the school year starting, sit down with your child and talk about kindergarten. Show excitement and enthusiasm about everything he or she can look forward to at school. Let your child express his or her feelings and really listen. However, do not force discussion on the topic. If your child does not seem interested in talking to you about school, don't push it. Just make sure you talk about school with excitement so your child doesn't fear it.
Have a trial run. Prior to school starting, have a trial run. If your child is going to school on a bus, walk to the bus stop one day and walk home so he or she will know the route. You could even drive your child in your car along the same route the bus will take if you know it. If your child will be walking to school. take a stroll one day in the summer and let your child have a trial run walking to school. The other way to have a trial run is to leave your child with a care provider for a few days throughout the summer. This will help your child separate from you and may give you an indication of whether your child will suffer from separation anxiety once school starts.
Plan some playdates. Before the school year begins, some schools distribute a phone list for each class. If your school does, try to set up a few playdates before school starts with some of the children on the list. This way your child will then see some familiar faces when he or she walks into class. If your school doesn't do this, make sure to set up playdates or enroll your child in some classes throughout the summer so that he or she has some opportunities to socialize prior to school starting.
On the first day of school. On the first day of school, there are things you can also do to help with the transition. See if your child wants to bring something from home with him or her on the first day of school. This might be a favorite sticker or small car. A familiar object may give him or her some security in a new environment. Another tip is to spend a little bit of time in the classroom before leaving your child. Be sure to introduce yourself to your child's teacher. Point out where the bathroom is, your child's cubby and so on. Try to get your child interested in an activity in the classroom.