Prepare your child for the first day at school

The first day of your child at school is one of the greatest turns in their life. For the first time they step into the world when you are not with him/her to take care of everything, it's the beginning of their independent life. Your child gets surrounded by lots of queries, confusions and may be fearful of the change from the small, loving and comfortable preschool situation. At this point as a parent you need to prepare your child to face the strange world alone. Let's learn some tips that you can follow to make the first day of school the best day of your child.

• Kids need a good night's sleep before the first day of school. About two weeks before school starts, start gradually moving bedtime and wake-up call earlier, to get the kids used to a new earlier schedule.

• At least a day before school starts, help your child pack his backpack with his supplies, putting his name on everything and sharpening his pencils.

• If your child is starting school at a new, unfamiliar building, or is beginning a new phase, the best way to ease his anxiety is to equip him with as much information as you can. Ask your school administrators if you and your child can tour the building sometime before the school starts.

• In the weeks before school begins, discuss kindergarten with your child. Express enthusiasm and excitement at all she is going to learn. Try to evoke responses from your child to see how she may be feeling.

• Before your child starts school, you can gauge how he deals with separation anxiety with a trial run. Try leaving him with a relative or close family friend.

• Many schools distribute phone lists for each class of students before the school year begins. If you have such a list, try to introduce your child with their future classmates, so once they meet in school they are friends and comfortable in each others company. This way they don't miss home.

• Try a School Bus Run. Go over your child's school bus route with him or her if it's going to be a first-time bus ride. Find out how long the ride is, and talk about things like bus safety.

• Talk About It. Encourage your child to share his or her feelings. Talk about the excitement of starting at a new school, and discuss any concerns your child might have.

• Find out about the school's policy on homework at the beginning of the school year. Ask your child's teachers about the kind of assignments that will be given and what kind of time frame the children have to complete them.

• Ensure the room your child studies in is quiet, has plenty of light, and has school supplies close at hand. Remove distractions by turning off the television and discouraging social phone calls during homework time.

After your child comes back home speak to them regarding their experience of first day in school. Make the communication interesting. Talk about friends and teachers. More they speak more they enjoy. Little attention to a few issues and some major empathy on your part may do the trick. So if your child is approaching the age of school start preparing them for the best beginning of their school days.

(Sources: msnbc.msn.com, stayathomeparents.suite101.com, school.familyeducation.com, education.alberta.ca)