A child’s first day at primary school is a big step - but parents can take practical steps to prepare them.
Practical steps that parents can take to prepare children for school include talking about school and helping children to develop their practical skills.
Cranbourne Park Primary School holds orientation days for children who will be starting school the next year. These sessions help make school a familiar and comfortable place for budding students (and their parents). If your child will be starting school next year, contact us about orientation.
Talking to your child
Your child may be anxious about what to expect on the first day at school.
If so, one way of helping them is to talk through their fears:
Don’t dismiss your child’s fears: things that seem obvious or silly to an adult can seem like terrible obstacles to a five year old.
Building on practical skills
If children have a good idea of what school is going to be like and have already experienced learning activities at home and in other settings, they’re less likely to find the experience stressful.
Games, role-plays and reading at home can help your child get into the right frame of mind and boost their confidence.
Activities for your child could include:
In the weeks before school starts
In the run-up to the first day of term you could: