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Article Getting your little ones ready for the first day of school

preparing them for the challenges
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39 Comments

The transition from pre-school to ‘big’ school can be daunting for some children. A new environment, new rules and new friends but you can do many things to help your children get ready for the first day of school.

When things go well – it’s relatively easy, but are your children prepared to respond if something goes wrong?

School is not always a good experience as it can be a source of problems and difficulties.

You can make a huge difference to how your child handles any challenges by taking some time to prepare.

Exploring solutions to potential problems

Can you remember back to your days at school and the difficulties you faced and all things that can go wrong?

Imagine if you had discussed them with your parents before hand and developed and practised strategies to cope.

Take the time to talk about topics like: finding the toilet, not knowing anyone, bullying, accidents, strangers and peer pressure.

Your child is more likely to cope better if they have discussed these kinds of situations; role-played and practised strategies before a problem actually occurs in real life.

You can learn more about this in my video. This is an invited talk at Merrydays pre-school for the mums and dads.

It is such an exciting and challenging time for both kids and parents, this short video is packed with strategies to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

The best part is you are giving your children life skills that will hold them in good stead throughout their lives.

Do you have any tips to share at making the first day at school smoother?

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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Comments

  • Just be there for your child when they need you.

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  • We all talked about the upcoming school days. I also found it immensely helpful to be prepared well in advance

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  • bookmarking this page! Thanks!

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  • sounds awesome and looks great

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  • kool

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  • My 3rd child has just started school and she was more than ready in every sense of the word. It helped of course that she had her 2 big sisters going to school too. Their school has a “tea and tissues” morning tea after dropping the kids off for the first day, so the parents can get to know each other and talk etc which is nice. I did notice in the classroom when dropping the kids off on the first day this year that most of the parents looked more nervous than the children, so confidence (even fake confidence) in front of the child makes a difference in how they feel about going to a new place.
    I like the ideas of role playing the friend scenario, so I think I will try that for my other kids before they start.

    • What a great idea. Tea and tissues for parents. More schools should try it. I’ll include it in my guide for next year thank you

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  • Very imformative, thanks for sharing =)

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  • How did peoples first day go?

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  • Thanks for sharing this information.

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  • Thank God little miss has two more years before she starts school. I’ve been through it before but have so many years in between each kid it’s like they are all only children. I ball my eyes out every time and the kids are always fine. Lol.

    • Too cute… sometimes its parents who need the support not the kids… a good friend helps

      • Definently! Lol, I’m a weepy mummy and the child is usually saying “go mum” like they’re embarrassed. ;)

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  • Thank for your important information. One other thing they should be taught is to make sure they go to the toilet and wash their hands at each break they have. They tend to forget otherwise. They are less likely to need to go during class time. As the school has enrolment details in advance, maybe the principal should make contact suggesting a time where parents and new pupils can be shown where everything is. Bear in mind that they will probably have forgotten some of it by the time they actually start school. These days books are usually paid for in advance – on set days during school holidays from memory – so it could be done that day. Unfortunately for security reasons you are not allowed on school property during holidays/term breaks. If your child has to have a school uniform maybe Mum and child could practise the dressing in it etc. too

    • Thank you so much for taking the time to offer these marvelous suggestions. I am going to add them to my own list. I love the reminder to wash hands, especially before eating as well as the other life skills you are offering your children. Once again thanks

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  • Harder for the first child much easier for the second.
    I cried more than either of them though.

    • Thanks for sharing, you’re not alone… see below how many mums felt the same … big hearted softies!

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  • We have been walking to school and pointing out the best area to get help from.

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  • i think the first day is harder for the parents than it is for kids. mine ran off to meet new friends while i stood there crying like a baby!

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  • A excited stage both for parents and the child.

    • Oh yes, we mustn’t forget the parents in this mix…first day can be as exciting and as challenging for parents as for children… good point!

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  • I think talking about how much fun its going to be & how big & responsible they have become.

    • Sharing the positive aspects is great and balancing that out with how to manage challenges gives the whole picture and prepares children for the fun aspects and skills to meet the issues that come up at school

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  • i hope that my second child will be ok at school. her big sister was friendly and outgoing so there was no problems. thanks for these tips. i will be telling my kids about them and trying to coach them in how to initially interact.

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  • Planning and preparation are definitely my key words for children starting school.

    • Thanks for your comment. What are some of the things you plan and prepare to make the transition easier for you and your children?

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  • My son has just changed rooms at daycare and that was challenge enough today, things being completely new, new environment. Don’t know how he will cope going to school in a few years time but hopefully by explaining to him about the move and him having to do it at least one more time before school it will help him prepare.
    I believe kids are smarter then we give them credit for and explaining what is happening and why helps them mentally prepare to make it easier

    • You are so right… thanks for your wise words. Helping children ‘mentally’ prepare means they have the knowledge and understanding in their mind before they have to face the actual challenge… just like when in advance, we rehearse a speech or a practice a challenging or important conversation we need to have … chances are we will do better than if we haven’t as it isn’t in the forefront of our mind.

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  • The biggest tip for us was to be happy and excited about it as parents and talk about how much fun she was gonna have

    • Yes talking about the fun she’ll have a new friends she’ll meet are great to help inspire children, couple this with preparation and practice for what might go wrong and where she might need support and you have the bases covered. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
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