It’s all a learning process
IS YOUR CHILD WALKING THROUGH THE SCHOOL GATES FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY? THE TRANSITION TO SCHOOL CAN BE DAUNTING NOT JUST FOR LITTLE STUDENTS BUT FOR PARENTS TOO. NORTHERN FAMILY MEETS TWO MUMS WHO SHARE THEIR TIPS AND EXPERIENCES, WRITES LAUREN PRATT
Settle your child in, take a deep breath, say goodbye and walk away. Get to the car and then bawl your eyes out. This is a scenario many parents face when their “babies” start to grow up. Starting school is the first step in a series of many milestones our young ones will experience as they navigate through life. Children have a gamut of approaches to starting school — some excited, some nervous, some who will not let your leg go no matter what.
SETTLE your child in, take a deep breath, say goodbye and walk away. Get to the car and then bawl your eyes out.
This is a scenario many parents face when their “babies” start to grow up. Starting school is the first step in a series of many milestones our young ones will experience as they navigate through life.
Children have a gamut of approaches to starting school – some excited, some nervous, some who will not let your leg go no matter what. While it’s our job to set a good example by putting on a brave face, especially for the first day, many parents out there will be going through an inner storm of emotions.
Catholic Education teacher’s aide and school officer, Amanda Brownhill, found the first day of school for her two boys an emotional one.
Her boys – Lachlan and Samuel – are well into their primary school years now.
“I was emotional as I had been a stay-at-home mum the whole time so it was a big step to send them off for five days,” she says.
“I was going to miss them but I did enjoy that first morning cuppa. I cried, they cried and I left fast.”
She says friends found the first day difficult, too.
“There were a lot of tears but they were also tears of happiness, knowing that our children were ready and excited for the challenges that lay ahead,” she said. “I think we all still get emotional from time to time when something happens at school, good or bad.”
Amanda says the big step was much easier because her boys were ready for school.
“They were ready to embrace learning and make new friends,” she says.
“In fact making friends was the one thing they talked about a lot ... ‘mum, I can’t wait to make new friends and play with them in the playground’.”
Challenges for the family of four were minimal as Amanda and husband Dave Clews had guided Samuel through early intervention programs. He had also been to school every day to drop off his big brother Lachlan, so he was well prepared when it came time for him to start school.
“However, he (Samuel) was still really upset a lot of the time and that continued off and on through to Year 1,” Amanda says.
“He also needed to adapt to no daytime sleep, which made him very tired and cranky by the end of the day. As a parent you have to be strong and have trust in the teachers – they will call you if there are any issues.
“Older brother Lachlan was excited about school and to this day both boys enjoy going to school.”
Cairns-based G8 education area manager, Amanda Judd, says parents should aim to keep the schedule light outside of school to give kids a chance to rest.
“Relax the afternoon rou-
about focusing on the positives for your kids’ schooling lives.
“Don’t stress about starting school, children are usually more than ready and they are surrounded by loving teachers and teacher aides who love their job and will make your child feel right at home. If you stress, then they will,” she says.
Amanda says it is also worth reaching out to other parents.
“Make friends with other mums and exchange numbers,” she says.
“There has often been many a time when we need to pick up or wait with another child as things do crop up. My mum friends are lifesavers.”
Amanda Brownhill runs a structured household for her two boys, something that has been in place since they started kindergarten.
“Our routines for leaving the house and making lunches pretty much stayed the same from kindergarten,” she says.
“Structure is important and kids thrive on having a routine.
“Life does get busier as they start after-school sport, want to visit friends and of course running the house on top of all that. Homework is a new addition and you just have to get it done. In the early years, it is reading every night and worksheets, which can be achieved on one night. Work smarter, not harder is the motto I teach my children. Be efficient and it pays off.” “Enjoy this special time, you will love watching them grow in their learning,” she says. “They have a thirst for knowledge and it’s beautiful to see as the year goes on. Oh, and buy the teachers wine, they will need it.”
SCHOOL TIPS
Amanda Brownhill shares some tips for a parent whose child is starting school: • Be prepared. • Do your school shopping early and get them used to what they will be wearing.
• Do drive-bys and if possible walk-throughs of the school beforehand.
• Don’t show them that you are nervous. Stay excited and happy for them.
• The first day is exciting for them. They don’t realise they have to go every day, so make it fun for them.
• Pack spare clothes for prep (or at least undies!).
• Label everything and it doesn’t need to be fancy – a permanent marker is fine.
• Make lunches the night before if need be. The more organised you are in the mornings, the less stress on everyone.
Don’t stress about what happens at school. There will be good and bad days and you have 13 years ahead of you, you don’t want to go grey too early!
Don’t compare you or your kids with anyone else. We all do things differently.
If you have time, offer to help in the classroom. It gives you a great insight and your child will love having you there.
• Keep a “what’s on” sheet with the bags so they know what day they need to take things, such as PE, library bag etc.
• Create a drop zone and get your child to pack their bag and take some responsibility.
• Get jobs done first before your children get to watch TV/ play, before and after school. You also need to be flexible.