When it comes to your kid starting a new school, well, we can all remember those first day nerves and how, crucially, they gave way to a wonderfully positive and life changing experience. So, if you’re a parent feeling any amount of trepidation about that oh-so-important transition into a new educational environment, then worry not: I’ve got all the info you need to ensure that it’s as smooth and pain-free as possible.

Get to Know Your New School

The first thing to do is, if you can, attend an orientation session at the school your child will be attending. Quite simply, this is an opportunity to meet and connect with students and staff alike, and by learning ahead of time what to expect you’ll significantly reduce any first day jitters. Because even the briefest introduction can mean getting the low-down on whether there’s a uniform required, or what’s expected from a PE or sports session. Basically, a chance to know what’s coming your -and your kid’s- way is only going to make you all the more prepared.

Get Out and Meet People

Arranging play-dates with other children about to attend the same school is a sure-fire way of making things as easy as possible for everybody. It’s a great way to meet both kids and parents alike, allowing you to get to know each other before that first day at school. Because the more friends and support you’ve got before even getting started, the easier it’s going to be.

Preparation is Key

We all know that reading to your child is a great way to get them ready for the big wide world, but it’s also a tried-and-tested way to get them ready for their first day at school. By reading a book that’s popular with their classmates, your child will arrive at school ready to communicate that shared experience, all the better when getting to know each other. You could also choose stories about starting school to help your child learn what happens in the classroom.

Reduce Anxiety

Reading to your child is also a great opportunity to usher in the kind of discussion that’s going to provide an insight into how they’re really feeling about going to school. Ultimately, it’s a chance to observe and assess whether your child is starting the academic year with enthusiasm, or, perhaps, trepidation. And if met with anxious or challenging behaviour, it’s important to understand that this is often just a way of your child trying to tell you something is wrong. And if there is an issue, then the sooner you can identify a problem and get the right help, then the sooner you can ensure that sure they’re on way to getting the kind of top-quality education every parent has the right to expect.

Ready for Anything

When arriving at school, your child will be expected to engage with their teacher and fellow pupils, so by engaging with him or her at home in a similar way will help pave the way forward. Encouraging positive and proactive behaviour will ensure your child is fully equipped to enter a new educational situation. Overseeing a proper, well-organised sleep routine is another way of making sure your child ready for the day-to-day business of getting to class on time. To ensure your child gets a great night’s sleep and for more look at whooops for ideas.

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The First Step

Overall, it’s about the stability at home becoming a springboard into life at school that’s both enjoyable and constructive. By engaging fully with your child you’ll be able to ascertain exactly how they’re feeling about that all-important first day. And over time that means reducing any fear and encouraging that first step into a bright and wondrous future.

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