A kid's first day at school is often one that's either filled with excitement or anxiety. Some kids can't help but be afraid of a brand new setting, surrounded by other kids they've never met before, and a teacher that they're unfamiliar with. Other kids, on the other hand, will look at their first day in school as an opportunity to experience new and exciting things.
While the experience of one's first day at preschool may vary from child to child, there are some steps that parents can take to help lessen the fear and anxiety in their kids and make them look forward to going to school.
So what are some important things that parents can do to help prepare their kids for preschool?
1. Talk About Their Feelings & Set Expectations
The first and most important thing that you can do to help prepare your kids for their first day of school is talk about it. Ask them what it is they're feeling, if they're scared or excited about anything, as well as what their expectations are about school.
You being the adult, it's important to help paint a positive picture for them about school. Talk about what they can expect from the teacher and the other students. Talk about the possibilities of learning new things, and making new friends. Talk about the reasons that they're going to school and what they can look forward to when it comes to their everyday life.
2. Shop For School Stuff
Another thing that can help get your kids excited for school is having them come along to buy the things they need. Whether that's a new lunchbox, thermos, pencil case, or bag, give your kid free reign when it comes to picking out the things they'll be bringing to school.
Giving them the freedom to make their own choices about their personal belongings helps encourage in them a greater sense of agency and independence.
It also gets them excited to share and show off their cool new stuff with their classmates. Having them choose what bags, pencils, crayons, and notebooks they want to bring to school can help them better look forward to spending time in the classroom.
3. Label Their Belongings Together
Once you've gotten that back-to-school shopping all done, you can take things a step further by printing out name labels for kids to stick onto all their belongings.
Like their school stuff, have your kids choose the design that they want. After all, name labels for kids come in a variety of custom and templated designs. In fact some printing companies even have an option that allows you to design your own name labels for your kids.
4. Visit The School Or Classroom
Lastly, one thing you can do to prepare your kids for school (especially if it's a new school that they're unfamiliar with), is pay their school and their classroom a visit before the first day of classes.
What often causes fear and anxiety in both kids and adults is the unfamiliar and the unknown. By visiting their school early on, you're helping lessen that fear by allowing them to get better acquainted with the school and its surroundings. That way, it won't seem as scary.
Are You All Prepared For School Now?
If you've followed through with all the tips above, you should begin to notice your kid relax a bit more even as the first day of school draws near.
Of course, not every kid is the same, and there might be some that are more anxious than others. Nevertheless, what's important is that you, as the adult, do your best to remain calm and give off a positive air and outlook.
If they seem uneasy at the entrance, remind them of all the shopping you did for school, and how excited they were. Point to the name labels for kids that you both picked out and remind them of how eager they were to show off their stuff.
Most of all, stay positive and calm. The less fear and anxiety that they sense in you, the more relaxed they’ll be. So take a deep breath and go and give your kids the biggest hug and greatest encouragement they need to make their first day of school a successful one.
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