So, the time has arrived. My daughter is starting school. As a teacher and mom I hoped I would be ok with it but I am just as nervous and worried as everyone else. I thought I would be calm and not worry at all but that is not the case at all.
The transition to kindergarten is a big one, not only for kids, but for parents, too. From wondering what your child will learn in kindergarten to worrying about how to calm anxiety on that first day, parents need some guidance about this big move. You can calm your own anxieties by reading and talking to other parents.
If your child is starting to learn to cooperate with other children, can follow simple instructions, can work alone to finish tasks and likes exploring and trying new things, he or she is ready for kindergarten. If a child also is starting to count, write his or her name, identify shapes and colors, hold conversations, listen well and be curious about books, he or she has a head start.
The schools provide information if they hold an information night. Getting work for your child to do at home helps you and your child feel prepared and to help give your child a leg up before school starts. To help calm your own fears about school, in the next few weeks, do some homework. The first thing your child needs to learn is to recognize or find his or her name when he sees it compared to other words or names. Preschools help with this quite a bit because the teachers usually label the child’s cubbies and carpet spots with the children’s names, and ask them to find them. But if your child does not attend preschool, you can do this at home by putting his or her name on as many things as you can, such as jackets, toys, books, etc. Then label other things in the house with other names of siblings, mom, or dad.
Learn all you can about your child’s new school, its routines and the expectations for kids his age. If you are able to, meet his teacher and principal, bus drivers, if that’s what it takes for you to feel more at ease. Take advantage of any school-sponsored orientations or tours and ask any questions you can think of. Rehearse with your child how the first day will go. And, when things settle down a bit, schedule a visit to the child’s classroom and get involved in classroom activities.
In kindergarten children are expected to dress themselves when going outside so letting them start to pick out their clothes and dress themselves is important. If you are nervous, your child will pick up on it immediately and probably feel the same way. Parents that are uneasy dropping off their children usually have children that cry when they are dropped off. On the other hand, parents that are not worried usually have children that are just fine when they are dropped off, as long as it is not the first time the parent has left the child ever. Just remember that if your child is anxious and crying, the crying will likely stop within just a few minutes after you leave. I’m pretty sure that most separations are harder on the mothers than they are on the children!
So, I have followed many of the tips above. My daughter recognizes and prints her name. She picked out her school bag and wants to go to school. I have visited the school, read their website. i know she is ready for the big day, I just hope I am.
By Melissa