I guess I am ready to admit that the summer is coming to close and the school year will be beginning again soon. We have completed our kindergarten orientation, our school supplies are mostly bought, and the next thing is to say goodbye on the first day of school. How do we prepare our kids for school? What can we do to commemorate the beginning of the school year? What can we do to encourage our kids in this new chapter of life? It is a little different depending on what stage they are at. We will discuss preschoolers, kindergartners, and older children returning to school.
For Preschoolers this may be their first school experience. They are young and are not used to an organized classroom and school activities. It is best to help them feel secure in this new experience. Don't ask questions like, "Are you scared?" or say things like, "Don't be afraid". These types of things only introduce the idea that there may be a reason to be fearful. Address things in the positive. Remind them of the fun and friends they will have. Never let them see you cry. As parents, especially moms, we cry because we are proud, we can't believe how grown up they seem, or we are sad that time has passed so quickly. Our children can interpret that as a reason to be scared. You want them to have a positive first experience with school. Visit the school and meet the teacher if you can to make a positive and familiar experience.
Kindergartners are a lot like preschoolers. Some of their fears may be the same. They are going to a new school, have to make new friends, and ride a school bus for the first time. Again you want to speak in the positive, visit the school and teacher, and maybe get together with someone in the neighborhood who they will ride the bus with. If they are nervous to be away from you then you may want to put a family picture in their backpack so they can look at it during school and feel you are close.
For older kids returning to school there is a different issue. They have been to school and know the drill but may not be too excited about the routine starting again. Besides having them pick out their new school supplies you should find a spot to make a homework station. You can get a 3-drawer organizer and keep paper, pencils, and other school supplies in 2 drawers. You can leave the 3rd drawer as a place to put things for yourself. The kids can put notices from their folders, permission slips, lunch calendars, and anything else that you need in that drawer. This will help keep your homework station organized and make it easier when they sit down to do their homework and everything they need is handy.
You can also teach your child a new skill. They always have a boost of confidence when they have learned a new skill. Learning to tie their shoes, riding their bike, or another skill will give them something to be proud of and build their confidence.
Make back to school traditions and the start of school a special occasion. Go out to dinner or ice cream after their first day. Put a note in their lunch with a word of encouragement like, "I'm so proud of you" or "I love you and I'm thinking about you on your first day". Take their picture in a new outfit in the same place every year. Set goals for the school year, sort of like new years resolutions. Make a chart or set up rewards for meeting the goals.
School is starting soon. Take some time over the last couple weeks of summer to encourage your children, to help them start the year with excitement, and to created a foundation of positive experiences with school.
