Getting Your Child Ready for School
Has the time come for your little one to start school? It’s a tough time, both for you and for them, but one that is also super exciting. They are starting this whole new chapter of their life, and it’s down to you to ensure that you are doing everything you can to get them ready. Of course, there are some standard things that you should be doing, but there are also some personal things that you can try depending on your child. For example, some are really outgoing and friendly, whereas others are more shy and reserved, and it’s important that you’re thinking about your kid specifically.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t panic, as so many parents are in the same boat as you. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to get your little one ready for school, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Arrange Playdates
The first thing that we’re going to recommend is that you try to arrange playdates with kids that you know are going to be in your child’s class. It’s nice to get to know people early so that your child has someone when they start on their first day. Oftentimes you will find that there are group chats for classes, and if you get involved with them you’re going to find a parent who is in the same boat as you.
Playdates are a great way for them to socialize and make new friends, and also for you a parent to do the same. It’s nice to know people in the school.
Communicate With Them
It’s important that you communicate with your child about what is going to happen, what to expect, and let them know that they can talk to you about any fears or anxieties that they may have. While it might be tough for them to do this, if you provide them an open, honest, and safe space, they will.
Encourage them to ask questions about school, tell them as much as you can, speak to them about what the routine is going to be like, and see if you can get them excited. A lot of the time, children’s biggest fear is the unknown, so if you remove this element, they won’t have that much to be worried about, and they will start looking forward to this rather than dreading it.
Buy Uniform
Of course, you’re going to need to make sure that you are purchasing the correct uniform for the school that your child is attending. It’s no good looking at other schools and what they are wearing as this isn’t going to do you any favors. Instead, you should be looking on the school website, or perhaps they sent you a little welcome pack with all of the information that you need about uniforms. This will state where to get it, how much it costs, and so on.
We’re aware, as are schools, that uniforms are generally not cheap. So, it’s a good idea to try and make sure that you check with the school about their policy on branding. Oftentimes, schools are lenient on this and allow students to wear plain items of clothing rather than ones with the school logo, but this is something that you’re going to have to check.
Try Uniform On
Your child needs to be able to put their uniform on, and take it off. While this won’t happen overnight, especially not if they have a more complex uniform, practice makes perfect, right? If they’re not great with buttons, practice with them until they can do this without issues. Stiff buttons are likely always going to be a challenge, as even adults struggle with this, but remind them that it’s okay for everything not to be easy the first time, and keep encouraging them.
Of course, you can’t expect them to go from not being able to do this at all, to being able to dress themselves the next day. Try a little, if it doesn’t work, try again tomorrow. Just make sure that you remain consistent, as this is the key to getting them putting their uniform on, and taking it off without your help.
Read Books
We don’t know why so many parents aren’t doing this, but reading to your kids is important, it’s how they learn words, sounds, and develop their own vocabulary, so reading with them every day is essential. While it might not feel like you have time, we promise you can make time for a short book.
It’s also worth looking into how you can teach them letters. For example, vowel sounds for kids can be tricky, but once they master them a whole new world opens up for their learning.
Sort School Dinners
Another point is school dinners. It happens more than you think where kids are sent in and then they forget completely about the dinners. This can be a disaster and it’s easy to avoid if you make sure that you check the menu long before it’s time for the kids to walk through those gates.
Praise Them Often
Lastly, if your child is starting school then this can be an incredibly daunting time for them. If they come to you with their worries, then make sure you are listening to them. When they do start school, be sure to praise them as often as you can. You can never really over praise a child, they love it and will do what they can to get more. If they get dressed and go into school well each day then you could set up a weekly reward for them. This will give them something to work towards and have something to look forward to.
We do hope this article gave you some ideas on how you can prepare your child for school. There are many hints, tips, and tricks out there. Some will work for your child while others won’t, it is sometimes a case of trial and error.
