Helpful Tips for the First Day of School

By Pamela O'Connor

It is definitely a transition from home to school, especially in young children. Parents are easily concerned and get anxiety over this situation, but to be calm is what would best help your child. You can do many simple things to help your child prepare for their first day of school.

It is helpful to practice the first day of school routine about a week before school. This way the child will know what time to get up at, and will have a routine to follow before, during, and after school. Packing lunch the night before with healthy, energizing foods is also a good idea. Going to the school a few days before hand to see where their classrooms or lockers are will familiarize them with the unknown and make them more comfortable with their new environment.

If you have moved to a new area, take a walk around your neighborhood and meet the other children and their parents. Set up play dates or even carpools, or find out popular places kids in that town meet up at. This will help your children to make friends faster and ease the anxiety of going to a new school, because they will already have friendly faces awaiting them.

Speaking to your child about their fears and concerns will also help ease the process of going to school. Ask them what they enjoyed about wherever they previously were and help them relate that to their new school or grade. Having them vent to you their issues will make them more comfortable about their feelings and you can help to give them more confidence. It will help them to know that they are not alone and someone else is there to listen and give them support.

Encourage change in your children’s lives. Every year will bring something different for them, but you must empathize that you've been through the same change and it is not scary or bad just because it is different. They need to know that they may fall down or mess up some things, but that should not get the best of them and they should always keep trying. Showing them that you as a parent believe in their success and will always be there for them will help tremendously.

Getting involved in school or community activities will help the whole family to feel more comfortable and will make the children closer to the other students while connecting the parents as well. Knowing the area and the people involved in your children’s lives will give them a stronger sense of togetherness while making it easier for them to come out of their shells. 

Source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-race-good-health/201308/helping-your-child-transition-school