Tips to Prepare Your Kid for School

Every day, millions of children go to school, but a few manage to keep up with this new phase. School is a tough adjustment for many kids as they have to spend their days in an environment with different rules and people than what they are used to at home. If you are not able to homeschool, you need to prepare your child for the school routine by setting some guidelines and expectations before attending preschool or kindergarten.

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Use Pretend Play to Understand the Realities of Preschool

Pretend to go with your child to preschool and then pretend you are the teacher. This will help your child understand their day in school and prepare them for the changes.

 

Read Books About Preschool

Many books discuss the school routine and how to prepare for it. By reading these books, you will understand more about what your child's transition into preschool or kindergarten may look like.

 

Buy Customized School Stationery Sets

Pick out a few stationery sets with your child, and let them decorate the folders. This will make it easier for them to start writing letters and sending cards to their school friends.

 

Your child will need a backpack or lunchbox to carry all of the items they'll take with them. This is one of those opportunities for you and your child to explore different styles together before deciding on one that suits both of you! You can get these supplies from https://www.dynamicgift.com.au/  for the best qualities.

 

Make Games Out of Practicing Self-Help Skills

To prepare your child for the school routine, you can make games out of practicing self-help skills. For example, you can give them a timer to see how long they can sit at their desk or create an obstacle course where they have to walk through obstacles and complete tasks in order while being timed. This will get them comfortable with doing these tasks in a new environment.

 

Listen to Your Child's Worries

Your child is going to have a lot on their mind when they start preschool or kindergarten. For example, they might be worried that someone will take away their belongings, miss you too much, or forget about what the routine of school looks like. Listen to your child's worries and make sure they feel heard by not minimizing their fears and reassuring them.

 

Keep Your Tone Upbeat

When your child tells you their worries, try to keep an upbeat tone. This will reassure them that it will be okay even if they are nervous about the change.

 

Keep an Open Dialogue with Your Child

Maintain an open dialogue with your child to tell you what their day in school looks like and what they have learned. This will help you as a parent to better understand how your child is adjusting to the school routine.

 

Talk About New Experiences Together

Every time your child has an experience of something new, talk with them about it afterward to process their feelings about them. For instance, if your child starts sitting at their desk in school, talk with them about whether they liked it or not and how long they were able to last.

 

Keep Your Child on a Routine at Home

For the best transition into preschool or kindergarten, keep your child on a regular schedule as much as possible. Then, they will know what is expected of them when going to school. In addition, the more familiar your child is with the school routine, the better they will follow it.

 

Create a Routine for Bedtime

Now that your child is spending more time at school, they might not be able to come home and go straight into their regular routines like before. By creating a nightly routine for them – such as brushing teeth or reading books- they will have something familiar that they can rely on when you're not around.

 

Take Photos of Your Child at Home

Create a photo album that features pictures of your preschooler doing activities they enjoy, such as playing games, reading books, drawing, or playing in the backyard. This will remind them of their happy moments at home and give them a place to reflect on these memories when they feel sad about starting school for the first time.

 

Use a Timer as an Exercise of Patience

To teach children some of the skills necessary for attending school, try using a timer to help them learn to be patient. The timer can be set for a certain amount of time, and the child is made aware they cannot do anything else until it goes off. This will show your kid that there may be times when they have to wait or take turns with other students, so this isn't new territory once school starts.

 

Start Your Day with a Routine

Another way to get the day started on the right foot is by starting your morning off with a routine. The more consistent you can be, this will make it easier for your child to adjust and follow through during school hours. An excellent example of this would be waking up at around the same time every weekday or eating breakfast with the family.

 

Allow Your Child to Stay with You for one Last Day 

Sometimes it can be challenging for children when they start preschool or kindergarten. Try giving them a final chance by allowing them to say goodbye and have one more day at home before their new routine begins on Monday morning. This is also an opportunity for you to reassure your child that it's going to be okay.

 

Set Guidelines and Expectations Before Your Child Starts School

Talk about what they should do in preschool or kindergarten. For example, how they should behave with their peers, when it is appropriate to talk during a lesson, and more. Setting these rules will help ease some anxiety your child may feel moving into this new environment.

 

Prepare Your Child for Change by Talking About What They Can Do at School

Talk to your kid about a few things they will be doing in preschool or kindergarten, such as learning new letters or numbers and getting used to wearing their uniform for the first time. Preparing them before starting this new chapter of their academic life might make the transition a little easier.

 

In conclusion, before your child starts school, you should be prepared and talk to him about what they should do. These guidelines will help ease some anxiety they may feel moving into this new environment.

This is a contributed post.

 

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