We understand that getting back to school after the holidays is always a hassle for both parents and their children. While some children get excited to experience the new school year, others may feel anxious or uncertain about the changes ahead.
To help ease this transition and set your child up for success, it is important to adopt a few tips that will prepare them for the new class.
Whether your child is getting ready for the first day at school or returning to school, we have put together 10 tips to prepare your child for the new class/school year.
How to prepare your child for the new class:
1. Excite your child about the new class
Your child may feel nervous as they start or resume school. Whichever way, it is important that they are excited about school. If it is your child’s first day at school, tell him or her how wonderful attending school is, inform him or her of the extracurricular activities they will participate in, such as athletics, music lessons, drawing courses and discuss the friends they will make or reconnect with.
Making solid connections and speaking well about school can reassure them.
2. Set goals for your child
Another essential tip to prepare your child for the new class is to assist them in setting goals.
Setting goals for your child helps clarify what is important to them and focus on it. As a parent, you also want to set realistic and achievable goals for your child. A good way to do this is by writing them down in a journal so that they become more aware of the steps.
3. Read the parent manuals and school rules carefully
Every school has its own set of guidelines and rules for parents to navigate. This is a great way to make sure you are up-to-date with the latest information. It will teach about how your child can be supported in all areas of schooling, including academics, behaviour, discipline, and more. As a parent, knowing these things beforehand will help you in informing your child what and what not to do. We enjoin our parents at Greensprings School to assist in achieving these guidelines and rules.
4. Prepare your child’s school supplies
Have all your child’s school supplies prepared for the new class. For example, you want to have their pencils sharpened and books neatly arranged in their backpack.
Labelling every item related to your child’s school supplies is also good practice if he/she is starting school. This makes it easier for your child to identify his/her items. Also, if an item is lost, or is picked up by another child, having their school supplies labelled with the child’s name increases the chances of getting the missing item returned.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Getting back on a schedule that works for school days can be tough for both parent and child. This is why it is advisable to get enough sleep the night before to prepare your child for the new class.
Ensuring that your child gets the recommended amount of sleep is very essential to a successful start of the school year.
The popular song “Early to Bed, and Early to Rise!” can come in handy during this period.
6. Pack a healthy lunchbox
School lunches are important for a child’s concentration, energy levels, and general nutrition. Parents need to plan out nutritious and balanced meals for their children to take to school.
7. Arrive early for school
Arriving early to school ensures that your child doesn’t miss out on the important learning activities that happen early in the day when they are most alert. It also gives some time to get your child(ren) settled in the classroom.
Read also: Back to School Hacks for Nigerian Parents – Our Top Picks
8. Meet your child’s teacher
Another great way to prepare your child for the new class is to meet your child’s teacher. This way, when your child sees you and his/her teacher as partners it can ease stress and help with successful learning.
At Greensprings School, we organize tea parties at the beginning of each school year, to enable teachers and parents to have an opportunity for proper introductions and to outline learning expectations.
9. Be positive
As parents, being positive about your child’s new class and first day at school is a great step to teaching your child about perseverance and work ethic. Being positive puts them into the mindset of working towards achieving a successful school year.
10. Be early for pick-up
It is not just important to arrive at school early for drop-off, it is equally crucial to be early for pick-up. A good way to practice this is to plan to get to your child’s school a few minutes before the school’s closing time. It makes you readily available to receive your child after school.
