The first day at school is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for all children, not to mention their parents.
The day marks an exciting transition in the childs life and, with a little thought, parents can ensure that it is also a happy time and that school is seen as a positive and fun place to be
Some of the best advice for parents includes:
Be enthusiastic about school. If you are excited and confident, your child will be, too.
Prepare yourself. Take note of how your child reacts to separation. If possible, visit the new setting with your child. Introduce your child to the new teacher or early childhood professional in advance.
Try to arrange for your child to play with another child going to the same school, preferably one-on-one, this means they will see a familiar face in the crowd.
Get your child involved in the preparation for school - packing lunch or laying out clothes. Also, begin an earlier bedtime a few weeks before.
Put aside extra time, particularly on the first day, for chatting and commuting together. But remember not to prolong the good-bye. If your child cries or clings, staying will only make it harder.
Always say good-bye to your child. Be firm, but friendly about separating. Never ridicule a child for crying. Instead, make supportive statements like, "it's hard to say good-bye, but you can tell me all about school when I come to pick you up."
At the end of the work day, put aside your concerns and focus on being a parent.
Above all, remember that school should be a safe and happy environment where you child can grow and learn.
However, the most important element of all children's happiness is the love, support and encouragement of their parents.
