School girl
With the first day of school quickly approaching, the feelings of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness are growing for both children and parents alike. Even teachers and administrators begin to get anxious about the upcoming start to the school year. As a former middle school teacher, I can attest that every year, without fail, I would feel butterflies in my stomach on the night before the first day of school, just as I knew all of my incoming students were feeling as they settled into their beds. The beginning of a new school year is a very exciting time for everyone, but for some children, it can also elicit a bit of anxiety and fear. If your child shows signs of trepidation as the first day of school approaches, here are a few tips for helping turn that nervousness into eagerness.
- Plan ahead - Starting the week before, help ease the process of transitioning from a summer schedule to a school year schedule by gradually adjusting bedtimes and wakeup routines to mirror the times of the school days. This will help to avoid tired, irritable kids on the first day of school.
- Make the morning stress-free - The night before, help your child select his or her outfit, pack a school bag, and make lunch in advance. Get your child motivated about the first day of school by making the night before as exciting as possible. Make sure that you let your little one have a voice and take the lead in choosing every little detail that matters to him or her in preparation for such a special day.
- Visit the school - If this is the first year that your child will be at his or her new school, make a point to go together to see the school and take a tour before the first day. If possible, make a few trips to the new school, meet the teacher, scope out the classroom, and try to help your child become familiar with the school so that he or she can feel much more comfortable on the first official day.
- Treat the first day like a holiday - kids love holidays, so why not create a sense of family excitement about the first day of school by really going all out with your enthusiasm regarding such a monumental day? If possible, go shopping for a special first day outfit, take lots of photos in the morning before heading out the door, and maybe even plan a few little surprises for your child to find during the day. Some motivating music to listen to during the car ride to school, a special note or treat in his or her lunchbox, or a celebratory dinner that evening to honor the completion of the first day of school are all great ways to make such an important day both meaningful and memorable.
