How to Prepare Your Child for School This Fall

It doesn’t matter if this is your child’s first year in kindergarten or their fifth year in school. Children can still get the first day of school jitters. As a parent, you want to make things as easy for them as possible, all the while knowing they are still going to have to face that first day on their own. The key is to give them the support and tools they need to make it through those first few days.

Encourage Your Child to Ask Questions

You won’t know exactly what your child is worried or nervous about unless they tell you. Encourage your child to ask questions. Let your child know where you will be when he is in school and that the teacher knows how to contact you if there is an emergency or problem that needs to be addressed. Show him where the bus stop is and let him know where he can find you when you come to pick him up after school.

Be Excited

When you talk about the upcoming school year, show some excitement. Let your child see how happy you are that he going to a good school and making new friends. Each school year offers new opportunities when it comes to friends, activities and learning experiences. It is important to make learning fun and exciting. When kids begin to enjoy the learning process, they look forward to attending school and may even look at every day as a new adventure.

Put Notes in Their Backpacks and Lunchboxes

It’s important to let the kids know you think about them during the day. For young children who don’t like being away from you for long periods during the day, you can help make the absence a little easier to bear by putting a note in their backpack or lunchbox. It lets them know you are thinking of them and will also remind them that you are never that far away. For kids who are just learning to read, send a few stickers with a small note that simply says, “I love you!” with a heart.

Find out Which Afterschool Activities Are Available

Talk to your child about activities he or she likes. Check with the school to find out if any afterschool activities are available that would interest your son or daughter. Sign your child up, and see if there is any way you could help with the team. This gives you an opportunity to spend time with your child and show your children you are interested in what they do.

One of the most important things about sending the kids back to school is addressing their fears. Talk about their feelings, and let them know that it’s normal to be nervous. Make sure they understand that first-day jitters are something that everyone deals with it some point. Above all, let them know that you will be with them every step of the way.