While my youngest has one more year of preschool, I’m hearing the tune of first timers heading off to school. Some advice I’ve received in the past to ease the kindergarten jitters has been very helpful and comforting to know that I wasn’t the only one who had a child that was nervous.
I first found it helpful to start settling down into the school bedtime schedule. While we still have some time to go the key is to start as early as possible. Nestle down with your child, relax, start a nightly school routine and start talking about how you’ll get ready that big morning and morning there after. Try and play out the routine too.
Secondly I started to buy books that were geared towards entering kindergarten. Go to the book store together and pick out one or two books and read them together that focus on how overcome being nervous the first day of school. And ones that talk about how exciting it will be to meet lots of new friends!
Lastly it may even be helpful to do a drive by. Walk around the school grounds. Visit inside it you are able and let your child get a little more acquainted with the environment. Most school now a days have a meet and greet to get the children acclimated to their surroundings and for them to be able to recognize a face or two the day school starts.
And start asking around to see if any other kids in the neighborhood will be going to the kindergarten too. It is always easier when we see a familiar face in “unknown” territory especially if you have a bus rider.
The main thing is to listen to your child’s feelings and be positive when addressing his or her fears. The first couple of days are probably more nerve wrenching for the parents then the child. Bring the tissues! They will love it though and before the first week is over, they’ll be pros!
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