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Lorraine
Erica
Parents who have young children (aged 3 – 5 yrs) will have to start preparing their children, as well as preparing themselves, for the emotional and physical elements of entering the school system. Since many are first time parents they will not be familiar with the “rules” associated with the school system (private or public). They will also not be familiar with the emotional stresses associated with leaving their children for the first time.
As a mother of two young children and Published Co-Author of a parenting book and parenting blog I have put together some top tips for parents with kids entering school for the first time!
1) Kids may have to have all of their vaccinations up to date before they enter school for the first time. You should check with your child’s school before registering.
2) Allergies are a big concern these days. Schools require snacks that are peanut free and many allow only water (instead of juice boxes).
3) Keep it organized. Remember to label everything with a sharpie pen or label maker. There will most likely be 2-3 of the same snack bag in the class so you want your child to easily identify their own.
4) Buy backpacks that are good quality (but not more than 10 – 15% of their total body weight) so that you aren’t replacing them every couple of months (quality over fashion) or both if you can get it. Be sure to include a small bottle of hand sanitizer with the backpack so that your child can get into a habit of cleaning their hands before snack time. Your little ones immune systems will be very challenged entering school and they will bring home lots of surprises, especially in the Fall.
5) Footwear is either a parent and teacher’s dream or a nightmare. Buy Velcro runners so that the kids can easily put on and take off their own shoes and the teachers don’t have to help them. This doesn’t take the place of teaching them to lace up their own shoes, but it can make the transition a lot easier.
6) Have a “count-down” calendar for the kids to see and to manually count down the days until school begins. Communicate with your child about what will happen on the first day of school and articulate how exciting everything will be. This will help kids to mentally prepare themselves for the big day and have an understanding of what will transpire on that day.
Take steps to ease you and your child’s emotional turmoil associated entering school for the first time. A stressed parent will ultimately affect their child. Here are some top tips to make you and your children feel better. Crawl, walk, run!:
1) Drive or walk to the school a couple of times before the first day so that the kids can visualize where they are going on the first day and it’s not scary for them. Even play at the school park so that the kids feel comfortable with their surroundings
2) If you know some of the kids that will be in their class try to set up a play date with them the week before so that they are familiar with some of their classmates on the first day.
3) Get into the bedtime and wake up time routine a week before school starts so that your kids don’t feel “rushed” on the first day of school. They will know what is expected of them.
4) Take your kids to buy their school supplies. Having them pick out the school supplies and school clothes (or having a say in it) will get them excited about using them.
5) To alleviate separation anxiety arrange for your child to go to a sitter (not their regular babysitter) only for 30 – 60 minutes. This will help them practice saying “good-bye” and show them that mommy or daddy WILL be back to get them at the end of class. This will make the first day of school easier for them.
These tips and tricks are a few of many out there for newbie parents. Talk to your friends and neighbors for their suggestions on how to make that first day easier. The more information you can arm yourself with, the better!
PS. You also may want to stock up on Kleenex for the big day…..it’s a tear jerker!!!!!
To watch our segment on Breakfast Television regarding back to school tips and tricks click here
Filed under: Baby, Baby Map, Mommy Map, Motherhood, New Parents, Parenting
