Strategies for Starting School: Preparation, First Day of School, and What to Expect

Several times this month, Fiona Brill and her five-year-old son have walked to the nearby primary school. There they play on the monkey bars, have a picnic, and try all the drinking faucets to find out which ones work and which ones spray water everywhere. Fiona points out the classroom Nicky will be in this year and the bench she’ll sit on when it’s time to pick him up. In a few weeks, Nicky will be going to school for the first time. Fiona is already working to make the transition as easy and happy as possible.

It doesn’t have to be tears and trauma at the school gate at the start of the year. Given preparation and a positive attitude towards school, the first day, and every other day as well, can be a time to look forward to and enjoy.

the weeks before* Many schools run orientation days where the kids are shown around and maybe a ‘real’ teacher reads them a story. These are an excellent introduction.

* Talk about school often, in informal conversations. (‘Yes, you can read ‘cat’. You’ll learn to read a lot of words in school.’) Be positive and enthusiastic in your attitude, but on the other hand, don’t develop it too much: school may not live up to its reputation. of the Circus Maximus.

* Education departments often have excellent brochures to offer ideas. Ask for them.

*Visit the school grounds several times so that your child has a concrete idea of ​​where they will spend their time. Like Fiona, show them around the classroom, the bathrooms, test the faucets, and play a little oval game.

* Point out where you will sit and wait to meet your child after school. Knowing that she will be at a certain place at a certain time makes them feel much more secure.

* Have children participate in a fashion show to try on uniforms. They can write their names on paint smocks, lunch boxes, and school bags in text.

* Have picnics where you practice undoing drink tops and untangling dried fruit and sandwiches from plastic wrap. (Or try using waxed paper instead, it’s easier on little fingers.)

* Talk often about how long the school day will be in simple terms: ‘After lunch, you’ll have more games and stories and then I’ll be waiting to take you home.’

* Gather uniforms, art smocks, and school bags well in advance. This prevents the terrible night before finding the frenzy!

* Make sure everyone goes to bed early!

The first day

* Help your child prepare in a calm and relaxed way. Even if you have to get up early to avoid panic and last minute rush.

* Arrange to meet with one of your children’s friends and their parents. That way everyone can walk together and support each other.

* Don’t forget to leave extra time for a photo or two. It’s something to really treasure later.

* Understand that there will be little time for the teacher to chat with you. This can happen later, on other days. Teachers need to focus only on the children during those first chaotic days!

* In the classroom, have your child participate in an activity (just like in kindergarten), but don’t stay too long.

*Always tell your child you are leaving, but keep it informal: Goodbyes in five acts are a terrible stress for both parents and children. When you leave, do it quickly and firmly, even if they start to cry. Teachers are experts at comforting and distracting children, but they can only do so when the parents (always the child’s first choice!) are no longer around.

* Remind yourself (often) that most children who cry on the first day when the parents leave are happily involved in drawing elephants and making friends before the parents get home.

* Be there waiting when school is over. Even two minutes late can feel like two hours to a Prep kid.

The first weeks

* It is to be expected some deterioration in behavior in those first days, due to fatigue. Talking back, rudeness, fighting, and even bed-wetting are signs of stress. You don’t have to accept it, but you don’t have to go back to the parenting manuals yet either. Hugs, kindness, and quiet times should solve the problem.

* Have a small snack and some quiet activity ready for when you both get home. Gently unwind, talk about the day, even watch some of your favorite videos, until energy levels return. Don’t invite five friends over to play, no matter how much they beg!

* Don’t talk too much about what you did during the day, especially if it was exciting. It implies that it was business as usual at home or at work. Kids hate missing out on anything.

* However, plan something special for yourself, especially on that first day alone. Even if she still has two young children and a baby, a child going to school for the first time leaves a big hole in her life. Fill it with something special. It is a new beginning for all of you.

“No, you can’t jump on those squares,” Nicky Brill tells his mother. ‘This is my school. I make the rules.’ He has already made the transition. The first day of school is something they both look forward to.

(c) Jen McVeity, National Literacy Champion.