The first week of school can be nerve-wracking for children and parents. I remember having separation anxiety when I dropped off my son at school for the first time. Although we were both on edge, he overcame his uneasiness quickly since I kept my composure and never let my emotions get the best of me.
After being in this situation multiple times, I’ve learned the tricks that work and those that don’t when helping young ones adjust to school life. I swear by these nine practical tips.
1. Set Targets for This Year
The first week of kindergarten can be terrifying for young children. They may find spending time out of their comfort zones an unwelcome change of pace.
Ease their qualms about going to school by making the idea fun. Share the positive things they can gain from being in a class — discovering fascinating topics, making friends and doing exciting things.
Ask your kids what they wish to learn in the classroom to discover their interests. Plan projects to pursue when school breaks roll around to let them continue exploring their passions further, sustaining their curiosity and deepening their understanding.
2. Build a Routine Around Reading
Schoolwork involves a ton of reading. Give your children plenty of practice at home to prepare them for their book assignments. Having strong literacy skills can boost their confidence.
The titles don’t have to be related to academics. Let them choose the stories that interest them. Consuming fiction is enjoyable because it arouses children’s imaginations, and this activity triggers many other cognitive processes.
Reading is complex — it allows your little ones to learn new words and their impact, expanding their vocabulary. The more they do it, the more enhanced their comprehension gets and the better they become at decoding meaning from text.
3. Visit the School in Advance
Your children may feel like they are in a faraway place when they go to school. The thought of dealing with new environments and faces can be distressing to young ones.
Touring the school with them allows them to familiarize themselves with the surroundings and some of the teachers they will interact with. Knowing where the classroom and other amenities are and the people who will serve as their guardians there can help put their minds at ease.
Moreover, visiting the school helps your kids learn about classroom expectations. Understanding what they should do and how they should behave during class early on can help them be obedient and respectful pupils.
4. Do Separation Dry Runs
Leaving your first-time students in school can be anxiety-inducing for them. Help them be more comfortable with your absence for extended periods.
An effective way to do this is by entrusting your children to a trusted person — like a volunteer grandma or a close friend — while you run errands and see how they react. Do this gradually to allow your kids to adjust accordingly and have less drama during the first week of kindergarten. Being away for lengthy spells immediately may traumatize them, causing them to develop an unhealthy attachment to you.
5. Buy the Right Supplies
Parents want the best for their children. However, students always lose their belongings, so spending top dollar on general school essentials, including pencils, paper products and folders, can be impractical.
Focus on providing your children with essentials instead of buying the most expensive items. Aside from general school, art and organizational supplies, consider stocking up on cleaning products. Although self-respecting schools put a premium on hygiene, classrooms can never have enough tissues, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizers. Get your kids comfortable rest mats for nap time and fresh clothes in case they have bathroom accidents.
6. Plan Something Exciting After Class
Due to students’ duties and responsibilities, schooling can be stressful, even when it’s fun. Apart from reassuring them who will pick them up after class, think of a delightful activity to give your kids something to look forward to when the bell rings.
Going to the playground and dropping by their favorite ice cream parlor are fun rewards for overwhelmed young pupils. Promising to help your children with their homework can also be an effective stress reliever. Students typically forget 40% of what they learned from class within the first day. Bonding over math and science problems helps reduce the pressure of answering them, making learning fulfilling.
7. Neutralize Fear With Compassion
Your kindergarteners may feel scared when they realize they will spend the whole day at school without the grown-ups they trust. It’s a natural reaction to this life milestone.
Acknowledge your young ones’ feelings so they can feel heard. Avoid trivializing their worries, especially when you can’t relate to them. Read their body language to identify nonverbal cues and sense their anxiety. They find comfort in your words — so be empathetic and compassionate.
8. Keep Goodbyes Short and Sweet
Saying goodbye inspires reassurance, but dragging it out can do more harm than good. Lingering can prolong your child’s distress, so keep things brief and encouraging. Give your distressed kids your undivided attention, comfort them and leave without fanfare.
You can make goodbyes positive in various ways. Security blankets work like a charm — leave a familiar object, like a toy, to help them self-soothe and remind them of home. Creating a special handshake is also beneficial because it builds trust and signals your departure, making drop-offs warm and fun.
Eventually, they will get used to this routine. However, ensure you always show up on time. Tardiness breeds distrust and anxiety.
9. Ask Your Children About Their Day
Have casual conversations with your little ones about their school wins. Inquire about their challenges, too. Knowing the highs and lows of their day sheds light on their struggles and whether they meet their classroom expectations. Awareness of everything happening is vital in celebrating their victories and helping address their first-day nerves.
Prepare Your Children for the First Week of School
Regardless of grade level, the first days of school set the tone for the rest of the year. Do what you can to make your kids comfortable to aid their learning and development.