How to Prepare Yourself and Your Child for the First Day of School
If your first child is about to start school this year you may be wondering
who has more anxiety about it - you or your child. The first day of school
is significant in so many ways; your child is growing up, you are not
personally planning their days and you know, even if your child does not,
that it is only the beginning of a long stretch of firsts.
If you or
your child are feeling anxious about the coming school year, what steps can
you take to ease the transition and develop a healthy sense of expectation
and challenge instead of fear or loss?
GIVE YOUR CHILD PRACTICE
If you have been the sole caregiver for your child it is quite possible that
your child will have more anxiety about spending the day with people he or
she doesn't know than a child who has been in a public day care environment
before.
During the summer, before the big day, you may wish to enroll
your child in preschool even if it is only one or two days per week and only
two hours at a time. This gives both you and your child the chance to
experience the separation without the overwhelming challenge of full time
school.
If your child is not ready for a typical preschool
environment, try group play activities such as a music class or book reading
that involves following the teacher's instructions and spending time with a
group of children while parents stay close by.
SPEAK POSITIVELY ABOUT
SCHOOL
Now that we've covered those aspects of school, let's turn to
some of the other factors that need to be considered.
As hard as it
may be, try to remain positive about the school experience. Even the boldest
child may be put off going to school if they sense their parents
apprehensions about it.
Talk to mothers of school aged children. You
may find your concerns to be commonplace, but you'll quickly adapt to the
routine and may even find time to enjoy it.
Find out if you can visit
the school before the new school year starts. Some schools have days when
children planning to attend the following year can come to a library reading
one day a week as a means of getting accustomed to the school environment.
Taking your child 'school shopping' can also create enthusiasm. New school
clothes, shoes and even a 'big kid' book bag are all ways you can foster
excitement about going to school.
GET INVOLVED
It may be
possible for the school to put you in touch with other parents who have
children starting school at the same time as yours. Meeting other children
before the school year can ease nerves and create a supportive bond.
If your school doesn't permit that information to be shared you may request
that an invitation be given to parents who would like to meet, or post a
notice on the bulletin board.
Once school has started stay involved
with your child's progression. Discuss the activities of the day, read books
brought home from school and volunteer to help in the classroom or on trips
if you have the ability. All of these steps show your child that you are
participating even though you are not there with them. Soon enough you'll
find your little one getting the hang of it, maybe even before you do!
Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of
school. Share your new understanding about school with others. They'll thank
you for it.
About the Author
Michael Hehn writes articles about various topics.Find out what he has to say about school at School
Article Source: Content for Reprint
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