As your child enters a new chapter in their life, a formal school setting, their world is about to change in more ways than they know. Their individual needs will no longer be a prime focus and they will be required to conform to a more standard routine. This is a daunting and emotional rollercoaster for parents and children alike. Your child has become comfortable to their intimate nursery setting and is enjoying the attention showered upon them, so introducing them to a new environment primarily focused on competition is crucial and tricky to say the least.
1. Visit the school
Most children do not respond well to surprises sprung upon them, and expecting them to adapt to a major transition is indeed difficult. Make sure to visit your child’s new school after their admission process is complete. Let them explore the environment, it isn’t necessary to prep them before hand as it is can prove to be additional pressure. Let them look around and freely observe. Make sure to ask them questions about what they enjoyed seeing or what their favorite part of the school was. Make comparisons to their nursery set-up and help them to see changes and new exciting opportunities
2. Establish a routine
While most nurseries may not be too rigid with timings or wearing uniforms, most schools are. Make sure to start a routine at least two weeks before school begins, this could be in small ways, such as, have a set place in the home for their school bag and other essential items to be ready the night before, establish a sleeping and waking up time which they needs to be implemented to adjust their biological clock, show them their uniform, you could also have a mock role play where you drive them to school and familiarize them with the route and morning schedule. If your child is travelling by school bus for the first time, request to ride along for the first few days to let them feel at ease.
3. Get excited and speak positively
Through the summer break, get your child excited about ‘big’ school by talking about how ‘grown up’ they have become. Children love the feeling of responsibility and being mature, so get them pumped up about it! Show them how they will now have books, pencils, stationery and more advanced toys making them a ‘big’ boy or girl. Attempt to show off about it to familiar people in their setting. This will give your child a sense of pride and accomplishment about the days to come and will surely get them excited to go to their new school.
4. Meet your child’s teacher
Make sure to attend any mixers or events the school might have prior to the commencement of the academic year. This will give you a chance to meet other anxious parents like yourselves. When your child sees you interacting with others’ it makes them understand that it is a safe environment for them too. Schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher to share any concerns you might have, it is essential to understand the teacher will have a lot on her plate, but if you feel there is information you need to share about your child’s personality which might hamper his or her development in school then share them with the new teacher.
5. Avoid jumping to conclusions
It is common for us to compare between teachers and their teaching methods. Make a conscious effort not to point out resemblances with your child’s previous teacher and present one. Your child (and you) might be more attached to your child’s nursery teacher, so it is natural to contrast each of the new teachers. But be patient and allow yourself and your child enough time to build a rapport with this new care-giver, It is in the best interest of your child to encourage them to move forward and progress.
Do not break ties completely with your child’s old setting allow monthly visits (after consulting with the nursery) and take pictures to let your child proudly talk about their new environment. This is a developmentally crucial time for your child so be the rock they can cling on to while riding out this storm.
- Sanobar Mistry is a published journalist and currently a kindergarten teacher in Dubai
