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 Whether your little one is an eager kindergardener or a more seasoned scholar, her
fi rst day of school is bound to be fi lled with mixed emotions. Some kids are thrilled to
be at school, while others have much diffi culty making the home-to-school transition.
Nonetheless there are ways to quell your child’s fears and make sure she’s
well-prepared:
Get your child to open up about her
expectations and ask her if she feels
excited, anxious, or a little bit of both. Talk
with her about specifi c worries she has for
the upcoming year.
Look at the classroom she will be in,
the bathrooms, playground, and activity
rooms for music, art, and physical education.
When you visit, focus on an activity,
game, or toy that your child does not have
at home, such as tempura paints or a
sandbox, and make it something for her to
look forward to on her fi rst day. Talk about
fun school activities, such as story time,
playtime, and snack time, and explain
what goes on there.
Go over your child’s new schedule,
including when she needs to wake up,
eat breakfast, and be ready to leave in
the morning for school. Have a couple
practice runs beforehand. Brainstorm with
your child to make a list of items you can
pack for his lunch that he will surely enjoy.
Have a big breakfast, decorate the
kitchen, serve a favourite meal, and give
out new school supplies or a brand new
lunchbox! Don’t forget to pack something
familiar in your child’s backpack (like a
favourite book) to make her feel more
comfortable, along with something new
(like an unopened set of crayons) to make
her feel special.
The morning arrival time at school is
critical, and most kids like a few leisurely
moments to get settled in. If you drive
your child or if she walks to school, plan
to get there at least ten minutes before
school starts.
Don’t forget to take pictures! You’ll defi -
nitely want to remember your baby’s fi rst
day of school.
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