Starting school is a huge milestone for you and your child. Whether your child is going to preschool, high school, or college, the first day means a new environment, new friends, and a new routine. Kids’ first day of school can be a little overwhelming. It is either they are too excited to go to school or it will freak them out. On kids’ first day of school, we will see lots of crying, wailing, and heel digging especially kids who enter preschool. It is due to separation anxiety because it will be also their first time leaving their parents to a new environment and they do not know what to expect. Kids First Day of School
This year’s first day though is different from the previous years’—especially for first-time moms—due to pandemics. In some countries, children are not yet allowed to attend a face to face classes, but some have already allowed it provided that they are protected by measures to eliminate risks and sources. It means going to school with a face mask and a bottle of alcohol or hand sanitizer in tow. Whether your kid is enrolled in online learning or not, it’s important to make their first day at school memorable and exciting!
As parents, we all want the same thing for them: to enjoy their first day at school so they will look forward to more! It’s a tough challenge we all have to deal with because no matter how old our kids are, they will always be full of nerves on their first day. There’s no perfect way to do it. Preparing for our kids’ first day is going to be chaotic. It often comes with lots of tantrums, heel digging, and begging for our kids to cooperate to the point of frustration.
The good news is you have all summer to get you and your child fully equipped for their first day. It can be pretty daunting to be away from the comfort of your home, so we need to prepare our children emotionally and focus on their social-emotional development. How to get them prepared on their first day of school? It is best to prepare 3-4 weeks early before the new school starts.
Kids’ First Day of School
Here are some tips to help you and your child prepare for the first day of school:
Talk to your child
Communication is the key. It’s important to let your child know what’s going to happen in the next couple of months or weeks. Do it gradually and make sure you don’t overwhelm them. Ease them into this totally new adventure and assure them whatever happens, you will be there for them. Ask them about their expectations, too, and excite them about the things that they will see, learn, and love in school.
Keep telling your child that you will send them over to a school where it is a place with lots of fun games and little friends to play with. There will be teachers who will help and guide him, and lots of craft work like drawing and painting! There will be indoor/outdoor playground where you can play with and it’s going to be very exciting!
Practice a new routine
For new moms, getting ready each morning takes time and patience. It’s helpful to practice and establish the new routine that you and your child will have before the actual first day to avoid rushed and frazzled mornings. Get them invested. Pretend it’s a school day and go through the steps of getting up, dressed, and fed. Practice even the after-school routine as early as possible. This allows mornings and class hangovers to be calmer and helps them wind down, so you and your child can be as relaxed as possible heading out to school and going back home.
Get to know your child’s teachers beforehand
It is best to bring your child to visit the school and meet the teacher who is going to help and guide him in school. Let them hang around for awhile and get to know each other. Do visit a few times if necessary to let the child familiar with the new environment. It will help to develop attachment and create interests in your child that school is a fun place where he can play and make new friends!
Some school do set a playdate with the new students before the actual day, let your child meet with his classmates and showing around his classroom. Show him where he is going to sit, his own cubicle where he is going to place his lunch box and even place his name tag on his table! He will definitely feel excited about it and looking forward to go to school again.
As a parents, meeting your child’s teachers, even if via e-mail, can give you a sense of relief. You can ask them about the possible routine so you can prep your child beforehand. You can also ask them about their ways to calm down a child whenever they throw a fit or handle a tantrum. Ask them what your child needs to bring and what they need to do on their first day. Make sure that you have their active numbers and that they have yours, too, so they can contact you in case something happens. Getting to know your child’s second parent will give you peace of mind too.
Encourage independence
Get your child a new sets of school supplies, a brand new school bag and shoes. Let him choose his favorite ones and tell him he is going to bring and wear them to school. A nice lunch box will also do the trick, as we will pack his lunch box and let him bring to school. He will also definitely looking forwards to eating the homemade yummy food with his new friend!
Help your kids to be proactive. Encourage them to pick their own bags, organize their school supplies, choose their clothes, and do their homework. Not only do our kids gain independence, doing age-appropriate tasks ease their jitters and give them a sense of confidence. This is a great way to learn and to practice their independent thinking skills.
Keep a positive mindset
Worrying for your child is completely normal, but let’s try not to express our anxieties and fears around them because they have a tendency to mirror our emotions, and that’s the last thing we want them to feel, to be worried and to be less confident. Let’s be calm and trust both ourselves and our child. If ever our child had sensed it, just reassure him and tell him that everything will go well. Pep talk can also help us as a parent. Sending them to school and leaving them alone can feel like torture, but let us remind ourselves as to why we need to endure it and how beneficial school is for our kids.
All in all, preparing your child for their first day at school can greatly reduce any anxiety you both may feel. Following the tips above are an effective way to familiarize yourself and your child with their new environment and a new routine.
Assure them that a school is a safe place where they will enjoy themselves. Good luck to you and your kids!
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