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:
A few simple techniques will support your child in their first weeks in primary school.
You can help support your child in their first weeks in primary school by establishing routines at home, showing that you value their progress, and encouraging them to take pride in their work.
After the first day
If your child has been to a nursery or reception class, they may have had some preparation for primary school and so their transition may be smooth. However, they might still find their initial weeks a period of change and stress.
Your child may be more tired than usual and need time to relax. You may find that rather than becoming more 'grown up’, they may regress or become more difficult or defiant, in response to the stress of a new routine.
Your child may also have concerns about making friends or be more withdrawn than usual.
What you can do
In order to provide support or help your child through what can sometimes be a difficult first phase, it may help to:
If you cannot sort out problems your child has by talking to them, you may find it useful to talk to your child's teacher about your concerns.