Ways to help your kids survive the first day in school

Finally the road to success officially starts as your kid finally makes his grand entrance to the world of fun and learning, that is, the school. School is place where you can equip your kids with the necessary skills and knowledge which are useful when they grow old. But unfortunately, the first day of school might pose some problems on his way to success and it is important to be well-prepared and at the same time make sure that your child will not succumb to the first day fears a school may offer.

• Visit the school beforehand. You may take pictures with your camera phones and show her the classroom, playground etc. This will help you acclimatize and mind condition your child with his new environment.
• Read storybooks about school to make her feel at ease.
• Practice preschool activities such as circle time, cleaning up, follow the leader and the like at home. Incorporate these in everyday rituals or play pretend employing dolls and stuffed toys. Try to portray a real school setting at your home to make her get used to real school sooner or later.
• Get your child involved in back-to-school activities preparation like shopping for school supplies, clothes, buying snacks and uniforms, etc. This help build and interest and excitement about going to school.
• Slowly adjust her sleeping, waking up and eating schedule at least two weeks before the classes start. So she will adjust well with the routines she will embrace from then on.
• Arrive to school 20 minutes earlier to give her some time to get used to the environment and people.
• Don’t toss yourself into the drama! If your little kid cries or clings, tell her “Mama just outside if you need me. Have some fun!” in a composed and encouraging words.

There is a truism which says, “A journey to a thousand mile begins with a single step.” This is in parallel with going to school. The first day of school may give you some hard time, since this is a very moment where make or break may take effect. Endeavor to make your kid cruise through.

The first day is as important as her first week of school. So you need to make sure that things are going well at this period so that your kid’s pursuit for education will be on a smooth sailing.

Thanks for the read!

An entry to the HubChallenge October 2011