We asked parenting expert Alyson Schafer what we should be doing to help prepare our kids who are starting school for the very first time:
If you have a child starting school for the very first time in September, now is the best time to make a plan to ensure the transition goes smoothly. The general idea is to be calm, positive, and prepared. Children pick up our attitudes so if we’re running around like a chicken with our heads cut off, we could stir up fears and anxieties in our kids.
Here is what you should be working on:
One Month Before:
If your child has never been left in the care of someone other than family, arrange some trial runs at leaving them with someone they don’t know. Practice asking them what their full name is, what their parent’s full names are and the street they live on.
Your child should be able to follow a string of instructions like put your bag on the hook, your sandals on the mat, then come wash your hands at the sink. If they can’t, work on simple instruction strings like this.
If you are going to buy backpacks, lunch bags and fall coats, do so now and use them for summer outings so you can say “ where is your backpack?” “get your lunch bag” so they can recognize their own possessions.
Two Weeks Before:
Visit the schoolyard and play on the playground equipment. Point out the door to the school entrance. Talk about school starting and how exciting that is! Read some books on starting school.
One Week Before:
If you’ve been staying up late and sleeping in, it’s time to get on the “school schedule” for eating and sleeping. You can start talking about the upcoming school week. If you know someone that is starting school, arrange a play date and try to organize walking to school with that family the first day (or meet on the play ground before the bell).
The Night Before:
Lay out school clothes and prepare any paper work/lunches the night before so the morning is as stress free as possible.
The First Day of School:
Try to be calm and normal. Sure, a photo moment is fine, but hold the ticker tape parade please. Show your child you believe they can manage by being collected and grounded. Of course once you have dropped them off at the door, you can join me in the parking lot for a good bawl session!
Alyson Schafer is a psychotherapist and one of Canada's leading parenting experts. She hosts The Parenting Show on RogersTV and is the best selling author of Breaking The Good Mom Myth and Honey, I Wrecked The Kids.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy: