Preparing for School – Getting Your Child an Education

boy wearing a black jacket

When my first child started kindergarten, I was almost devastated. I had known for several months that the day was quickly approaching, and I had been doing everything I could to make the transition easy for him—but it was still hard to acknowledge that my little boy was growing up. He was going to be a big school kid, and as often as I had said it to him, I had somehow forgotten to tell myself that he was a big kid now.

Still, despite all my apprehensions and worries, my little boy successfully started kindergarten—and much of that success was due to the preparation that began months before school started.

Preparing for school is one of the key elements in ensuring that your child is able to start on a positive note. All children—unless they are homeschooled—will go through the developmental transitions from home to school. Even children that have been in daycare will experience a bit of trepidation over starting in “big kid” school. The first few months can be a difficult time for everyone, but there are a few things that can help your child with the whole transition of growing up and starting school.

Establish Routines:

Try to establish a routine before school starts that you will use throughout the school year. Bedtime should be at a specific time, and the week should be planned out to accommodate the upcoming school schedule. Some things will change once your child starts school, but if the main parts of the routine remain consistent, your child will feel much more secure with the other changes.

Research the School:

As a parent, sending your child to school for the first time can be a pretty scary endeavor. No longer will you have complete control over what’s happening in your child’s world, and soon enough your child will have two worlds to draw experiences from. Being informed about what to expect helps keep your anxiety levels down—which in turn helps reduce your child’s anxiety as well.
Check with the school and be clear on the date your child starts, the specific days they attend, the times for drop-off and pick-up, the policies involved in those processes, and the size of the classes. Find out about the teacher, and if possible, try to learn a few things about the children who will be in your child’s class.

Talk About School:

Take the time to talk with your child about school and what will happen when they start kindergarten. Talk about the things they will learn, the people they will meet, and what to expect during the day—especially when it comes to pick-up and drop-off. If all of their questions are answered, they’ll feel much more confident about starting school.

Supporting Growth Through Skills and Confidence

One of the best ways to prepare your child for school is to start working on school-related tasks at home. This helps build their concentration and increases the amount of time they can sit still and focus. Practice printing, letter recognition, and counting together. If possible, purchase an exercise book that includes sheets designed for kindergarten learning.
Also, help your child build social skills. Make sure they can say their first and last name and that they know your phone number. Take them to places like playgroups, where they can practice introducing themselves and forming friendships with other children.

Starting school can be a big step for both parents and children—but by preparing early, you can help ensure it’s a positive and empowering experience.

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