PREPARING YOUR CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL


It is normal for parents to be both worried and excited when their children are about to start formal schooling. They are unsure if they have done enough and if their children are ready for a more structured environment such as what a formal school set-up provides. To ensure that the transition goes smoothly, it is important that parents give their children the proper attitude towards school and education in general. Attitude will determine how children will feel towards school and how hard they will work in school.

To help prepare your child for school, here are some tips that can make the transition go smoothly on the first day.

1.  It is important to talk to your child about school. Tell him why school is important. Inform him of what he can expect to do during a normal school day. Emphasize that he is now grown-up enough to go to school so that he will feel more excited than afraid of what it is going to be like in school.

2.  Attend the school orientation with your child. This gives your child the opportunity to see how his school looks like. It helps to familiarize him with where restrooms and the cafeteria are located. And it gives him the chance to meet classmates and strike up a friendship even before classes start.

3.  Talk to your child about how he feels towards the school. Be sensitive to his fears and concerns and try to build his confidence in his abilities to cope. Point out the positive aspects of school. Emphasize on the fact that school can be fun.

4.  Shop for school supplies with your child. This is a great way to make him see how much fun schoolwork can be. Have him show off his school uniform to the family so that he will feel comfortable and confident in them.

5.  Get him into the school routine early. It is best to start these two weeks before the first day of school. Help him get familiar with his new bedtime and wake-up time. Talk about what it will be like when school starts when you sit down for breakfast with the whole family.

6.  It helps to have a dry run of the first day of school. Pack his lunch and drive out to school. Show him where you will drop him off on the first day. Discuss where and how you will pick him up after school. 
7.  Be involved. Find out what the school expects from you. This will make it easier for you to determine how you can give your child direction and how you can build his confidence to cope with all the new experiences.

8.  Celebrate the first day of school. Plan a meal with the family the weekend before the first day. Perhaps buy him a small gift to celebrate the occasion.

All these things will make your child feel comfortable with the idea of going to school. It helps relieve the child of the stresses and fears he may have about this new step in his life. Instead, he will feel excited and anticipate instead of be apprehensive of the first day of school. This will provide you with a stress-free first day of school. 


Maria is a freelance article writer who enjoys home improvement projects during her free time at work. She recently wrote an article about afslibning af gulve (sanding floors) the easier way.

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