First day of school
Whether a child starts their very first day of kindergarten or returns to school for a new grade, there are numerous things to take care of and preparations to do beforehand. It's essential to have discussions with your child regarding any fears, nervousness, or concerns they might have as they start a new school year or start going to school for the first time.
As the children step on this new path, it's normal for them to experience some sort of fear or hesitation. The transition could be from home to school or old to new school. The new environment can scare some and excite the others.
Thus, it is important to prepare them for this first day and here are a few tips you can follow.
Establish a routine
A consistent routine, ideally starting a week before, helps children feel secure and prepared for the day ahead. Set regular bedtimes and wake-up times to ensure your child gets enough sleep. Also, establish a morning routine that includes getting dressed, brushing teeth, and having a healthy breakfast before moving on to other activities.
Once school starts, create a routine for homework, playtime, and any extracurricular activities.
Visit the school
Before joining, try to arrange a visit to the school to familiarize your child with the surroundings. Show them where the classrooms, bathrooms, and cafeteria are located along with the playground, teacher’s desk and medical room as well. This way, the first day won't be overstimulating for the child and would ensure they get to places on time.
If there is an orientation day or parent-teacher event, attend it together.
Prepare supplies
Schools and teachers in-charge usually send a school supplies list a week prior to the school starting. Ensure that you shop accordingly, be it the brand or the amount and ensure that your kid has all the necessary stationery supplies. If possible, try to label their backpack, lunchbox and notebooks beforehand to prevent any mix-ups that might happen in school.
Also make sure that the backpack you pick is good and sturdy and does not cause harm to their shoulders.
Practice independence
Before school starts, it is advisable to encourage children to take care of their belongings themselves and of themselves too.
Ensure that they are in the habit of washing their hands, eating without much spillage, can use the restroom on their own, etc. This will ensure that your child does not depend on others for basic needs and will also earn him/her praise for doing their work themselves. Another important skill to teach them is to tie their shoe laces to prevent them from tripping over.
Emotional support
Every child is different and can have different reactions to the first day of their school. Some may feel nervous or anxious on the first day while others may be jumping with excitement. So, encourage open communication, and let your child express their feelings.
Reassure them that it is normal to be sad and that you are there and have their back.
Post coming back from school, encourage communication about how they felt during the day and listen patiently.