Your child's first day of school or kindergarten is always a big moment. While it is an exciting time, it can also be quite stressful for both the parent and the child as every child is hesitant to go to a new place and meet people he/she has never met before, so removing first day jitters is a number one priority. Good organization and planning will help some of the way, along with being alert for signs of a child's unease and aiming to relieve any potential for distress.Luckily there are tips and strategies that moms and dads can use to get through to make their child’s first day and first week of learning a positive one.
If you are a parent going through the same phase then go ahead reading some of such tips to help your kid prepare for the big day :
Visit the school or kindergarten in advance
Many schools and kindergartens encourage the student and parents to visit the school before the official starting of the term. You both can visit the classroom and meet the teachers in advance. This will also ensure that your child recognizes a familiar face immediately upon the first day of class.
Also, the child and parents can both become familiar with the location, look and feel of the school.
Obtain the school handbook.
It is important to know the expectations of the school in advance. Ask for a copy and read it well. If you have any questions about the rules, the requests for money etc., ask them as soon as possible. It is
also important to work through the rules with your child so that she or he is aware of what is expected during school attendance.
Know the schedule of the school :
Let your child know what his schedule will be like. Tell him at what time the school begins and ends each day Reassure your child :
Spend time together before the first day; talking about the positive aspects of school, about your own experiences and tell her how much fun it will be meeting new kids of her age and about the friendships that develop at school. Boost your child's confidence by telling all the things your child will enjoy being in school.
Shop together to obtain school supplies :
A big part of fun is getting the school supplies and it should be a shared experience. Follow the supplies list given to you by your school, also allow your child to select his or her own favorite items to take along.
Potty training :
Your kid have to be toilet trained and know how to undress and dress themselves and also the ways to inform the teacher on such occasions. So ask yourself whether your child is ready to do those things. If not, it's a good idea to teach them those skills.You can pack spare pants and a change of clothes in your child's bag just in case its required.
Be organized.
From the very start, it is really important to get into a routine of being organized, both for you and for
your child. Together pack the bag with the all the required school items and get the uniform ready which is to be worn
Feeding themselves:
If your child has to have any meals at preschool other than drink and biscuits, find out if they'll be expected to use a knife and fork or whether hands are acceptable. Practice at home with a little knife and fork. Make sure you tell the preschool staff about any strong dislikes your child has, and any food allergies or into lerances.
Give him a brief of what is expected from him
Prepare him to sit still and listen quietly in the class.
Be supportive but also learn to let go.
On the first day, give plenty of hugs and reassurance but also be balanced and let go. Tell your child you'll be waiting for her or him at day's end and be sure to be on time!Leave your contact number with staff in case they need to call you. If your child cries and won't let you leave, ask staff for advice. In most cases they'll ask you to stay for a while with your child in the early days.