10 top tips for a successful start to school

Starting School - Ready Steady….

Starting school is a huge milestone for our little ones as well as for ourselves. Whether we are excited or slightly apprehensive, we want to do all we can to make those early days positive and fun.  

Here are ten top tips with practical ideas that will help you prepare and set up for a successful start to school:

1. Talk about it.  Talk about the teacher, the school and all the fun things they are likely to do. ‘I am sure Miss Edwards is really looking forward to having a new class. She seems so nice. Did you see when we looked around that there was a corner with lots of books and blocks to build.” Chat through the day and as much about the routine as you can. “I remember Miss Edwards said that you would have story time on the carpet after lunch. I wonder what the fist story will be?” Perhaps spend an afternoon in your library reading and chatting through stories about starting school.

2. Listen.  Your little one may think they should feel 'happy' and 'excited' about school but they will likely have lots of other feelings too. They might be worried about what it will be like, if being at school for a full day means they'll miss you, will they make friends, what will the food be or will they have snacks? Any change, transition or uncertainty can bring anxiety or worry.  In the weeks before school, find plenty of time to gently connect and talk about any worries they may have, reassuring them that is it normal rather than dismissing or reassuring them. Help them think through what they might do if they feel these feelings.  Naming the feeling helps our kids tame the feelings and teaches them that all emotions are ok. Tough as it is sometimes, I set myself the task of trying to listen more than I talk...  

3. Independence. This is a great time to practice a few of the things that will help them feel independent and capable at school. Being able to go to the loo on their own is important not only for the teachers but also so they feel comfortable. Can they put on their coat, do their shoes, change if they need to for PE and do up all their buttons? There are lots of fun ways to practice – put their coat on over their pj’s or sing silly songs in the loo. If you think your child will have a hard time saying goodbye, practice that as well in a positive way: “we'll walk into your classroom together and we will say our special goodbye. I'll be there at 3pm to pick you up with that yummy snack you chose and you can tell me all about your day.”

4. Friends. If you have a list of new children starting in your class, or if you can ask for it, it is a great idea to organise a few playdates in the relaxed weeks before school starts. Entering a classroom of unfamiliar faces can be intimidating for even the most courageous child and it is especially helpful if your child takes time to settle. A little light hearted role play on what it feels like to meet new friends can help. When school begins, your child will be exhausted so less is often more after school in the early weeks of school.

5. Familiarity . Can you practice the trip to school pointing out funny or interesting things on the route? Anticipate what might be hard for your child and talk about these things calmly and positively in the weeks ahead. Some children adapt slowly to transitions and there are many transitions in the school day. I have a child who found changing from one activity or gear to the next challenging and setting out routines and talking through sequence of events in detail ahead of time was very important. We are always searching for ways to help our children succeed and with success comes confidence and self- esteem and the behaviour follows.

6. Make it special. Make them feel special too. They may feel excited at the prospect of wearing a new uniform, having their own PE kit and school bag or they may feel a little overwhelmed. They are often caught between wanting to be your little one still and wanting to be the big boy or girl who goes to school. Have fun and keep it lighthearted. Make the shopping trip special. Try on the new uniform or sports kit, play in it and get used to wearing it. Practice getting ready in the morning from laying out as a person the night before to popping it on and having breakfast in the morning so everything feel super familiar and easy.

7. Sleep. If things have slipped over the summer, now is the time to get your little ones gradually back to an early bedtime routine.  Primary school aged children need between 9 and 11 hours sleep a night. They will be exhausted in the first weeks of school and working to establish a calming, consistent nightly routine now will help you when the exhaustion kicks in. Talk through with you little ones what you will do every night and put together a fun pictorial guide that they can follow.

8. Time. Tired and overwhelmed children need to know that they are loved. For many, even those who have been at nursery school, the prospect of an entire day away from their parent or caregiver can be very scary. Carve out time to be at home with them in the early days. They need to reconnect after school so try to refrain from asking too many questions the minute they appear. They may even be emotional as they release any pent-up feelings from the day as well as being exhausted. Give them time to recharge, settle back in, play with things that are familiar and having plenty for snuggle time during your bedtime routine. A quiet game or puzzle before bed is a great time to talk about what went well and what was more difficult.

And finally,  2 top tips:

9.Keep a positive vibe around your child. Talk to friends and family about your own worries and apprehensions rather than to your new school starter.

10.End every day with three positive affirmations for your child. “you should be so proud that you put on your uniform all by yourself.” “Even though you were worried that you didn’t know anyone, you still turned and smiled and said goodbye.” “You are a brave girl.”

I hope that you enjoy the rest of the summer and that the first weeks of school are happy and successful - Good luck!!!