Back to School

Starting school can be very scary for some children.  It is a new experience for both you and your child. There are many things that can help ease the fear during this transition. Being prepared and talking with your child will help them feel more secure.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) lists a few things you and your child can do before the school year starts.  

• Visit the school and meet the teacher: Some schools offer visiting days when the students can come look around the school and meet their teacher. They may also be able to find their locker or cubby and walk through daily procedures like checking out books at the library. Your child will get to know the school a little better and may not feel as scared. Having you do these things with them helps ease the fear.
• Start your school routine early: Your child may not be used to having a morning routine or may be in a routine of going to childcare every morning. Going to Kindergarten is going to be a new morning routine for them. Help your child adjust by starting the new morning routine a few days or weeks before school starts. If they are especially nervous, they may not be able to settle down for bed. Read a relaxing story together to help your child feel more comfortable and at ease. A few good books are listed below.
• Label everything: There are a lot of supplies that your child will need for Kindergarten. Most children have never been responsible for all these supplies before. Your child is so excited about her new backpack but when she gets to school, the girl next in line has the same backpack. Label everything! This will help your child know who’s supplies belongs to who. Making a nametag for your child is a good idea as well. Include your child’s name, parent(s) name, phone number, address, name of school and teacher, and how your child gets to and from school.
• Read books about Kindergarten: Reading together is a great way to promote literacy but it also helps your child feel more comfortable with the idea of going to school. Here are a few titles to try!
• Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
• The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
• Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes by James Dean
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Check out your local libray for more titles or check out the Scholastic website as well.
• Scholastic

Now that your child is a little bit more ready for the first day of school, here is a list of how you can help ease the first-day jitters.

• Prepare the night before: Lay out clothes, pack backpack, and make lunch. This will help both you and your child feel less rushed in the morning. Allow your child to have a say in what they want to wear and what they want to bring for lunch. Doing so allows them to feel more independent and in control. It also helps to avoid fighting about something and making your child upset.
• Be positive: Your child has most likely never done something quite like this before. They are nervous. They need you to tell them it will be okay and to be positive. Smile, give your child a hug, tell them you love them, and wave goodbye.
• Help your child say goodbye: Remember that this is a new experience and new place for your child. Saying goodbye may be difficult for them (and you!). Reassure your child that you will see them later. Give them a specific time and place (I will see you at 2:30 when the last bell rings. I will be waiting right outside the car.)
• Avoid behaviors that may upset your child: For example, try not to
• Cry as your child walks into school or onto the bus. It is hard for both you and your child but seeing you cry will only make them more fearful.
• Force your child to eat a big breakfast. They may be nervous and not be as hungry as they usually will. Instead, pack food that you know they like in their lunch. You can also include a little treat with a note from you.
• Wait to ask the teacher questions. Remember your child is one of 20 or more students in the class, all going to Kindergarten for the first time. Unless you have something very important to tell or ask the teacher, wait a few days or send them an email later on. Trust that your child’s teacher is welcoming and wants the best for your child.

You did it! Celebrate with your Kindergartener. Talk about your days together and learn along with your child. This is an exciting time in their life- be involved. Enjoy!

Child's Books About Starting Kindergarten. (n.d.). Retrieved February, 2017, from
     http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-readers/childrens-books-about-starting-
     kindergarten

Back to School. (n.d.). Retreived February, 2017, from http://www.naeyc.org/back-to-school