Tips on how to jettison those first day jitters
Make going back to school a success with these tips
For young children, the first day of school may be downright terrifying.
Being away from home, in a unfamiliar environment and surrounded by strangers, is enough to give anyone anxiety.
Even middle school students feel some uncertainty when heading back in September.
While parents can’t be in the classroom to alleviate those fears, there are some things they can do to calm the first day jitters.
GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Many schools allow, and actually encourage, parents to bring their children in on the first day, especially in Grade 1 or if it’s a new school. If your school is in the neighbourhood, use the walk there as an opportunity to discuss your child’s hopes and fears.
Perhaps loop in some other neighbourhood kids to walk to school together so they feel less alone. If your child is taking a bus to school, the Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School District, Southland Transportation and First Student run an introductory My First Ride program.
PACK A SPECIAL LUNCH
Whether it’s a sandwich cut into a funny shape, a favourite dish or even a rare treat that you pack into their lunch, consider including a handwritten note to your child.
They may just need that reassurance and support three hours into their day.
If you are the crafty type, make your own notes with funny sayings or personal comments.
If scissors and glue are foreign objects to you, you can download colourful samples off the Internet.
Consider making lunch special for another child by packing your child’s food into a charity LunchBlox from Rubbermaid.
Through a partnership with the international ME to WE organization, every purchase of a LunchBlox from now until Sept. 28 will also provide a healthy and nutritious lunch for a child in Kenya.
In addition, each purchaser can enter in a contest to win a trip to Kenya for a family of four with ME to WE to see their impact in action.
MARK THE DAY
It’s a tradition for many families to take a photograph on their children’s first day of school.
It may be that you need to record it for posterity as you figure to never see your child looking as clean and dressed up for the rest of the year.
Make the photo extra special by working together on a craft to commemorate the occasion.
Hobby shops like Michaels sell small chalkboard or wooden signs.
Include your child’s name and age, and grade they’re entering along with the date and other pertinent information.
GEAR UP FOR SUCCESS
Back to school shopping can take on a life of its own.
Every store starts advertising in early summer with specials on backpacks, markers, paper, crayons, lunch boxes and every other conceivable item.
To keep from breaking the bank, try to obtain a list of needed items from the teacher or school. Many schools post this information in early August or send a letter home.
While geometry sets might be a necessary evil in middle school, they won’t be used in kindergarten or the early grades so skip them.
Take your child along shopping and let them pick some of the items, especially the pack or lunch box they’ll use every day. It may help guarantee they actually use it.
DEBRIEF
It may have been the best day ever or perhaps, it didn’t go as planned, but whatever the case, make sure to check in with your child on their return home from those early days of school. Did they make a friend? Was the teacher kind? What did they learn that day? What was the hardest thing?
Talking through the day might help put everything into context.
And give them the love and support to go back and do it all again the next day.
READ UP ON IT
Transitioning from kindergarten to Grade 1 moves children from play-based learning to a more structured environment.
There are a number of books that can help your child deal with their feelings about school, including these ones recommended by the Calgary Board of Education:
I am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child; First Grade Jitters by Robert Quackenbush and Yan Nascimbene; How are you Peeling? by Saxton Freyman; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst; No David! by David Shannon; Have Feelings by Jana N. Hunter; Hunter’s Best Friend at School by Laura Elliot.