How to make your child school-friendly
Are you anxious about your child's first day of school? It's a big milestone for them, and it can be daunting for you as a parent. You want them to succeed and do well, but you also know that this is the day when they start to spread their wings. It's a new chapter in their lives, and you want to make sure that you're there for them at every step.
As the big day approaches, it's normal to have apprehensions, questions and fears. We understand that this change can be a little stressful. However, while these apprehensions are very normal, it is also important to understand and believe that your little one will be fine.
To help ease this process by making your child school-friendly, we've put together the following tips:
Arrange a school visit together Before your child's first day of school, take some time to visit the campus together. This way, you can explore the school grounds and get acquainted with the layout of the buildings, so that on the first day, everything will be familiar to your child and they will feel more comfortable starting school.
Make new friends Arranging a playdate with children from your child's class is a great way for them to get to know each other before school starts. This way, they can hit the ground running on the first day and make friends more easily.
Play a mock school game at home Use make-believe games to assist your child in getting accustomed to the notion of school. Take turns pretending to act out various routines like story time, singing songs and nap time. You can also change up the roles and let your child be the teacher. This will help your child consider school as an enjoyable place and decrease uneasiness from day one.
Improve their getting-ready skills Let your child practice getting ready for school: fasten buttons and zippers, put on a backpack, and hang a coat or jacket on a hook. You could even turn putting-on shoes into a game – see how fast they can do it!
Share your experience As your child begins to show interest in attending school, take the opportunity to share your own experiences of starting the schooling journey. Talk about how you felt on your first day and any special memories you made. If you have any old photographs of yourself or other trusted adults from when they were in preschool, show them to your child and talk about them together. This can help your child feel more comfortable and excited about going to preschool.
Start a new routine It's important to start preparing your child for the new sleep schedule they will need for preschool a few weeks in advance. This way, when school finally starts, both of you will be used to the new routine and there won't be any rushing in the morning. Another thing you can do to help your child become school friendly is picking out their clothes together the night before and eating breakfast together before their first day.
It's normal for kids to feel all sorts of emotions before starting school. They might be excited, but also worried or scared. It's a big change! But it can also be lots of fun. Reassure your child that you will be there to pick them up at the end of the day, to reduce their anxiety. You will be surprised that how fast they easily get mixed up in their small world.