Your child is starting school and while this is definitely cause for excitement, it can also be a source of anxiety. For your little one, the anxiety is caused by venturing into the unknown. They have never been to school before, have never worn a school uniform and don’t know the children they will be starting with.
For Mum, the anxiety is caused by watching your baby become independent. Not long now until they’re graduating from college and moving to Australia and getting married… *sniff*
Even if your child is a seasoned primary school pupil, returning to school in September can cause worry for both parents and children. Here are some of our tried and tested tips to get through it.
Deal with it head on
It’s important that parents address these feelings of anxiety. You should tell your child that it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous and that the other children will be feeling the same, so they don't feel alone.
Normalise it
Speak often about starting school. Prepare in advance and encourage kids to talk about how they are feeling. If there is something they are particularly nervous about, see if you can get them to tell you about it and then find a solution together.
Provide some fun associations
Have a fun day out, buying a school bag, socks, shoes, stationary and pencil cases and get them to help you write the list. Let them choose what they want and let them get excited about school.
Do a dry run
This is more for kids who are going to primary school for the first time and feeling a little stressed. Pick a morning in late August, put on their uniform, pack their school bag and do a practice run of walking or driving to the school, so the process will feel familiar on their first day and they'll be less overwhelmed.
Treat them
Help them make a list of sandwiches or items they would like in the lunchbox during September and devise a fun menu for them to look forward to each day. Just be careful you don't stray outside the school's lunchtime guidelines.
Make some allies
Organise a play date before your little one starts school. If you know any children that will be in the same year as your child, arrange a play date beforehand so they will recognise a friendly face when they start school.
