I have to say I’m a bit of a novice at this since I’ve only sent one off to school so far. So when it comes to this topic, I tap into one of the best resources moms have mom-friends and teacher-friends! Here are some ideas I’ve put together based on their valuable insight.
Things to start working on as early as possible…
Attention Span
Little ones naturally have short attention spans, so suddenly being in a classroom where they are expected to pay attention and focus on a specific task can be a challenge for some. You can help them prepare by spending time together reading. “Listening to, looking at, and talking about books is great practice for staying engaged in classroom activities,” says a friend with early childhood development experience.
Independence
Part of children developing is a desire to do things themselves. I remember when my nephew was a toddler and we’d try to help him with a task he’d look at us defiantly and say, “Self!” Give your child room to try things for themselves (even when it takes five times as long!). Then as they gain confidence and ability, don’t circumvent this by doing things for them that they can do themselves—something that can be a challenge for parents who operate on a fast-paced, jam-packed schedule.
As the big day approaches …
What to Expect
Most schools have orientation or tours where children can see their classroom and meet their teacher to begin to anticipate what lies ahead. One friend of mine actually sat in on her son’s soon-to-be teacher’s classrooms so she could get a sense of the routine. Talk about this frequently throughout the summer so that your child can have a sense of what his or her new experience will be like. Picking out school supplies, backpacks, or lunch boxes can also be turned into fun events to build positive feelings about heading to school.
Establish Routines
Start planning for and communicating about the morning routine. For example, my friend Jennifer makes an individual “to-do” list for each of her children—whether they’re in pre-K or middle school. (She uses clip art pictures for those who aren’t reading yet.) This is another way to build independence and responsibility while helping everyone adjust to the new routine.
Skip the Bus to Start
Your child will already be experiencing so many changes those first couples of weeks of school, that it may make sense to delay the transition to the school bus as they adjust. Of course, this may not be possible in every case, but if you can swing it, your child will likely appreciate the comfort and encouragement of a loved one sending him through the school and/or classroom doors in the beginning. Then, when they’re ready, they can tackle the transition to the school bus instead of trying to manage it all at once.
A Little Piece of Your Heart
This one was my favorite! A friend of mine sewed a little stuffed, felt heart for each of her children to carry in their pocket. That way if they felt nervous, sad, or worried, they could just reach into their pocket for a tangible reminder that she was thinking of them.
I’ve got one down and one to go as far as the big “first day” goes and I’m looking forward to putting these suggestions into practice. I’m thankful for the forum social media provides for us to so easily share ideas and encourage one another!