Your child starting school is a nerve-wracking time for all involved. Taking time to get your child excited for school is so important.
Little ones starting school can be a nervous and emotional time, and that’s just for the parents!
Children can be unsure of what to expect and you can be sure they are looking to you for some inkling on how they should be feeling.
Research shows that children who are excited to learn do better in school.
Here are some tips on how to get your child exciting and feeling positive about starting school:
Role Model
Children are so intuitive. They can tell how we are feeling by just being in our presence. Never underestimate how much a child takes in when you are speaking to others in their presence. Watch how you speak about school in front of them. Try not to say how sad you will feel about your baby starting school or how nervous you will feel about them starting. What you say becomes their inner voice, be mindful of that.
Buying the bits
This was always my favourite bit of going back to school. Your little boy or girl finding their favourite place to buy a few bits for school. Pencil case, bag, new shoes and runners. Make it a special day - even involving some hot chocolate! They will feel special and excited to use their new things in school.
Talking about lunch options
Little things that are familiar to your child will make their first few weeks of school easier. Talk to them about what they want for their lunch. They could even help you to make it when the time comes. Let them be as involved as possible and even encourage them to tell their teacher they made their lunch with mum/dad.
Having a playdate pre-September
If you’re lucky enough to know a parent in your child’s class, or a child from their preschool that will be starting with them, great! Try to organize some fun playdates before they start, it will make that first day much easier for them to know they already have a friend in their class.
Trying on the uniform
Both from a practical point of view but also as a tool to help get them excited, if they will wear a uniform you should have them try it on a couple of times. It will be great practice but also it could potentially be an exciting time for them to show other family members or even do a little fashion show.
Read
One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is a love of reading. It is such a special love to have, to get enthralled in a book. It is also fantastic for their intellect. In a world full of screens, read to them from early on. Talk about the pictures and the story. Set aside some time every day to really give them your undivided attention with a book. Their love for books will follow them through school and for their lives.
