Do’s and Don’ts for Preparing Your Child For School

As we all say goodbye to summer and are getting the kids ready to go back to school, sometimes parents have concerns when it comes to making the transition. We worry about our kids dealing with separation or if their teacher will understand their needs. The first day of school brings a whole swarm of different emotions for both parents and children.

Nancy Schulman, head of the Early Learning Center at Avenues: The World School, former longtime director of the renowned 92^nd Street Y Nursery School, and co-author of several parenting books, has some helpful do’s and don’ts to help ease separation anxiety and make the first day of school a positive experience:

DO:

ESTABLISH GOOD BEDTIME AND MORNING ROUTINES
REVIEW TEACHERS NAMES AT HOME
READ BOOKS TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT BEGINNING SCHOOL
BE ON TIME FOR ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF
CONVEY A POSTIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD SCHOOL—SMILE!
GREET TEACHERS IN A FRIENDLY MANNER
POINT OUT THEIR COAT HOOKS AND CUBBIES
TELL YOUR CHILD WHERE YOU WILL BE AND BE THERE
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CHILD’S FEELINGS (“I know it’s hard…you’ll be O.K”)
DURING ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL –FOCUS ON YOUR CHILD. GIVE THEM EXTRA INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AND QUIET PLAY TIME AT HOME AFTERWARDS
SAY A SHORT GOODBYE BUT DON’T WAIT FOR A RESPONSE
WAIT TO SOCIALIZE WITH OTHER PARENTS WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
COMMUNICATE ANY SPECIAL CONCERNS TO THE TEACHERS
BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR CHILDREN—THEY CAN DO THIS!