Nervous about your child’s first year of school? Worried if your child will thrive?
How do you know if your child is ready?
Beginning school can be a scary thing for both your child and you as a parent. You might be wondering if your child is ready academically, socially and emotionally.
What is really needed when transitioning to big school and what can you do if you feel your child may not be completely ready? Being socially and emotionally ready for school are the most common concerns! Not just writing, cutting and attention for learning. It’s a big thing to be 4 or 5, meeting so many new people, new rules and new environments.
Here are 5 tips you can do at home to help
1. Celebrate your child’s achievements
Take time to point out and speak about the times your child was brave, did something well and tried their best. Enjoy these moments, no matter how big or small whenever you can.
2. Encourage your child to participate in group and peer activities
Encourage them to participate in activities in the community, meeting new people and doing new things
3. Talk to them about their feelings
Ask them what they found tricky, what they loved and how they felt before, during and after an activity. Starting this habit before school will help them to share their achievements each day after school.
4. Explain why it is important to follow rules and practice some of these at home
Adjusting to school rules can be tricky. Play your games in different places; at a table, on the floor, outside and make reference to the routines at kindergarten that are also in these places.
5. Talk about big school, and visit as much as you can
Don’t only focus on the good things, listen to your child’s concerns/things that worry them. Validation and reassurance is very powerful. Also talk about what they are looking forward to.
