British Parent Bloggers

An article by guest writer Rosie Shelley

Starting school is a huge step for children and a daunting one for parents. For the child there are new places and new people to meet, new routines, new rules and regulations, and more time away from the family. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. For parents there are the worries about how they will adjust, if they will settle in without difficulty, if they will make new friends, eat their food at lunch time, get on with the teacher, and of course if they will enjoy the learning process.

My four year old starts school in January 2008 so I’ve been busy collecting tips to make the transition from nursery school to full time education as straight-forward as possible.
School nurse team leader Barbara Shear appreciates the difficulties of that first day at the school gates,  

“It’s completely understandable for parents, as well as children, to be a little nervous about the first day of school. It’s a time of change for the whole family but it needn’t cause a problem and should be seen as an opportunity for children, and parents, to grow. There are lots of things that parents can do to make those first few days or weeks easier for everyone. Helping children adapt to new situations can ease parents’ minds and make sure that children feel safe and secure.”
Tips for Parents – Preparation.

Before your child starts at school the following tips can help prepare them for the big day by familiarising them with their new environment:

Visit the school before your child is due to start, look around the classroom with your child if possible and meet the teacher, look at where your child will enter the building at the beginning of the day, wear they will hang their coat and leave their belongings. Look around the playground, the hall and toilets.

Talk about the visit with the child and discuss what you saw to remind them and reassure them.

If you know the daily routine at the new school then discuss this with your child.

Look at books together about starting school, such as Starting School by Alan and Janet Ahlberg.

Make a pretend classroom at home and pretend to be at school. Your child can enjoy pretending to be the teacher.

If you pass the school in the car or on foot point it out to your child.

Help your child to become more independent so they are able to eat, go to the toilet and get dressed by themselves.

Encourage your child to ask adults for help if they need it.

Share your own memories and experiences of school to build a happy picture of school life, and so they know you went to school too!

The Week Before.

Make sure your child is in a good bedtime routine so they are getting enough sleep and can be up early in the mornings to prepare for the day ahead.

Gather together everything your child will need – uniforms, gym kits, pencils cases, stationery, school bag, lunch box.

Get organised – have your child’s school bag and uniform ready the night before to save that last minute panic in the morning.

Ensure the school knows any crucial information about your child such as food allergies and medical conditions, and that they have your emergency contact numbers.

The First Day.

Be enthusiastic about your child starting school. If you and anxious and upset they will pick up on this and it will increase their own anxieties.

Encourage your child to have a good breakfast to give them energy for the day and to keep them alert.

Make time to talk to your child on the journey there and reassure them you will be back to collect them.

Tell them what you will be doing while they are at school so they know where you are while they are not with you and can picture you doing something.

Don’t spend too long saying goodbye especially if your child is upset as it only drags it out and they quickly settle after you have left.

Plan a treat for the end of the day, then relax – you’ve survived!

Belinda Shear has some words of reassurance, “Although it’s normal to be anxious in any new situation, it is important to remember that, for most children, school years fly by with very few worries. As long as you set time aside to talk about things, everything will work out fine”. 

And good luck.