STARTING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME

Do a tour of the school beforehand

“Talk to your child in an age-appropriate way and tell them what to anticipate in advance. One or two weeks before the start of term, physically bring them to the school when it’s quiet and there aren’t any big crowds and explain that this is where they’ll go on the first day, this is where they’ll be dropped off, these are the gates they’ll walk through.

“A lot of schools are really good these days and will send teachers around to your house before the start of school to meet the children. Then hopefully your child will remember: ‘That’s Mrs Smith, she came to the house and met you.’ Or: ‘You’ve met that lady with the glasses and she’s going to be with you on your first day.’

“You could also do some drawings together to talk about what school is going to be like. It’s really about putting yourself in your child’s shoes and thinking: ‘How would I feel? What would make me feel better?’ At the same time, don’t overdo it because then your child will think: ‘Oh my God, this is obviously really scary because Mum and Dad keep going on about it!’”

Create a fun rhyme

“My son and I made up a little song that went: ‘I love you, you love me, I’ll be back for you at three.’ Pick up was actually at 3:15pm but he didn’t know that! We’d sing it together and it was an easy rhyme for him to remember and take comfort in.”

Help your child feel connected to you

“Give your child a transitional object that they can discreetly keep in their school bag or in their pocket, like a pebble. If they’re feeling a bit wobbly, they can hold on to it.

“One of my friends had the brilliant idea of drawing a little heart on her wrist and also one on her son’s, and so throughout the day her child felt connected to her.”