Now that August is here many parents and children are beginning to think about the start of the school year. Going to school is a big, exciting step for children and their parents. The transition to preschool or kindergarten can also be a little worrisome for both too. For many children, this transition may be a little more difficult due to the pandemic. There are many things families can do to help their child have a successful transition to school.
Start talking about school. Ask your child what they are excited about doing at school. Is there anything they are worried about? Share what you are feeling as well. Share about how proud you are for them to be growing up and starting school but it is also okay to let your child know that you will miss them while they are at school.
Do an informal visit to the school your child will be attending. When my children were starting preschool, we frequently drove past the schools they would be attending and I would point them out to them. We also played on the playground at the school during the summer.
Attend the school's open house or meet and greets. If your child's school holds an open house or meet & greets, be sure to attend these with your child. This gives your child an opportunity to see their classroom and meet their teacher. This can go a long way in helping your child feel comfortable on their first day of school.
Be prepared for separation anxiety. We know that many children have spent most of the previous school year with their families. They may not have attended school or childcare in person. They may have had a school year that was a mix of in-person and distance learning. All of this could add to the possibility of your child experiencing separation anxiety. If your child struggles with separation anxiety, you can take some steps to help your child overcome this anxiety. Keep your goodbyes short and sweet. Trust me, I know it can be very hard to leave your child when they are distressed. My son is a slow to warm up kid and had a hard time at the start of the each new school year. I worked hard to make my goodbyes short and sweet. I would say, "Mommy is going to go. You are going to stay here and play. I will be back after lunch. I love you. Have fun!" Then I would leave. At pick up, I would be excited to see him and often say something about how brave he was and how proud I was that he stayed at school. You can also talk to your child's teacher to see if it is okay for your child to bring a security item from home.
Choose a fun way to say goodbye. Saying goodbye to your child in the same way every time can help them feel safe and comfortable. Most have probably heard the saying, "See you later alligator," but there are many fun ways to say goodbye.
Play school at home. Take turns being the teacher and student with your child. Do some of the activities they will experience at school like reading stories, playing and doing projects.
Create or continue first day of school traditions. Traditions, like having a special breakfast or dinner, visiting grandparents or taking a first day of school picture, can help your child get excited about school. Our family always took first day of school pictures usually at the same spot in our front yard each year. My oldest daughter even sent me a first day of school picture from her college dorm room last year!
Reach books about going to school. There are a lot of great books about starting school that you can share with your child. Click here or here for lists of books that can help calm your child's nerves about starting school.
Make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep. Start transitioning your child's bedtime and wake up time to what it will be during the school year a couple of weeks before school starts. This helps your child get use to this new routine before school starts. If your child is having anxiety about school, it can impact their sleep. Practice calming techniques, like deep breathing, at bedtime to help your child be calm and ready to sleep.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If your child struggles with the transition to school, communicate with your child's teacher and school. You can work as a team to help your child have a successful transition to school.
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