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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