School days are just around the bend! Whether a child is just about to start school or will be transferring to a new one, parents play a crucial role in prepping up their kids for the new learning environment and helping them adjust to this ‘second home’. Here are some tips:
1. Talk to your child.
Whether your child is starting preschool or will be a grader this coming school year, talk to the child about the importance of going to school and how the new school would help him learn and achieve goals. It is important to ask your child how he feels and what his expectations are about the new school.
Questions may be like, “How do you feel about going to school?” “What are you excited about in your new school?” or “What do you hope to happen in this new school?” You can then proceed to address his concerns. For younger children who are not yet adept in verbalizing themselves, share your feelings about them going to school to establish its importance, “I’m excited for you to go to school!” “You will have new friends, activities, etc…”
2. Bring your child to the new school.
It would ease the child’s anxiety if you bring him to the new school days before school starts. It is likely that he has seen the school when he took the entrance test or interview, but another day to show your child around may help lessen his anxiety. Show your child the classroom, canteen, library, etc. if the school allows it. Get acquainted with some of the school personnel like the guard, the office staff, or teachers. The importance of this mini-trip is to help them become familiar with the friendly faces to approach for help once in school.
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3. Let your child participate in preparing his school stuff.
Schedule a school supplies shopping and preparation day! Let your child be part of listing and preparing the things he would need for school. This would prepare him psychologically for his scholastic life. Given appropriate limits and choices, let your child choose some of the school stuff like the bag, pencils, hankies, etc. You can also ask him to take part in shining their shoes, sorting crayons and art stuff, sharpening pencils, etc. You may facilitate their readiness for school by being with the child in completing his to-do list for school and injecting statements like, “I think you need to have a set of crayons for school,” “Maybe the teacher will ask you to bring a hygiene box, so let us prepare it.”
4. Simulate possible school activities at home through play.
One week before school starts, gently ease in your child to the foreseen routine and activities expected in school. Have a set time during the day for doing some activities like coloring, writing, or crafts. For smaller children starting preschool, reinforce their training of self-help skills like eating, fixing things and potty training. Together with siblings or playmates, let them watch videos with a back-to-school theme. This will give kids an idea on what will happen in school, and would train small tots to cooperate in either individual tasks or group activities.
5. Have a “pretend school day”.
Once the physical and mental preparedness is in place, have a “pretend school day” a few days before classes. Walk your child through the daily routine he would be in once the real school starts. Calculate the minutes your child would need to prepare, groom, eat, and travel to school, then do something similar one day: Wake them up at a designated time, have them bathe, eat and dress up. If possible, try your route to school, too. Since they cannot be in school yet, have activities at home mimicking school, including “recess time”. This would help adjust their body clocks, and would jumpstart their routines in preparation for school.
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6. Show confidence in your child
You are at the best position to show your child that he has the innate capability to be independent, do well in school, and adjust to his new environment. Though you may be anxious yourself as a parent, it is best not to show your child your apprehensions and fears, as this will affect him. Assure him with your words, non-verbal tone and facial expressions. Show your confidence in their ability to adjust and enjoy school through statements like, “I know that you can make friends in your new school.” “I am excited for the things you would be doing and I know you are ready for the new school.”
Note, also, that preparedness differs from child to child, and parents would be in the best position to know if their children are easy warm up or take some time getting used to a new environment. Your role as a parent cannot be replaced by other caregivers in giving your child the support he needs as he ventures into a new school. Properly communicating with the child and processing their thoughts and feelings about the new world they would be in are integral to helping him succeed.
Photo from flickr.com
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