7 things parents should do to prepare their children for first grade
Establishing habits and teaching children about safety are things parents need to do to help their children not feel overwhelmed when moving to a new school level.
Most preschools have programs to help children prepare for first grade. However, as a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child adjust to a new school. Here are some suggestions.
1. Talk about what to look forward to
You can buy some books about what to expect in primary school, spend time talking about what a day at school is like with your child, and encourage them to share any concerns or questions they have so that they can be addressed together.
2. Participate in orientation and experiences at school
Most primary schools will hold an orientation or tour before the start of the new school year. It is a good time for you and your child to get to know what the classrooms look like, the cafeteria, the toilets, and where the buses pick up and drop off.
After the tour, ask your child to bring any new questions and work through them together. If your child attends a school you previously attended, share some stories about your time there. This will help make their experience more interesting and understandable.
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| Establishing habits and teaching children about safety are things parents need to do to help their children not feel overwhelmed when moving to a new school level. |
3. Buy school supplies
Take your child shopping and make sure they have everything they need before the first day of school. This could include a good school bag, shoes, uniform, books and stationery.
4. Talk about making new friends
Moving from preschool to primary school means saying goodbye to old friends and making new ones. Talk to your child about what they can do to help them make new friends quickly.
You should also make sure your child still sees his or her kindergarten friends. During the first two months of first grade, try to work with the kindergarten parents to arrange time for the children to play together.
5. Practice walking to school
Whether your child walks, takes public transport or takes the school bus, make the journey together before school starts. Get your child up earlier in the morning and go to school together. Alternatively, try walking home from school together.
6. Establish a routine
You need to maintain the same routines that your child does throughout the school week to help them develop a routine. For example, help them get used to going to bed earlier and waking up earlier, tell them when homework is due, and how TV viewing in the evening is limited.
Try to get your child started on these habits about a month before the new school year starts.
7. Teach children about safety
Share with your child about situations they might encounter at school, then discuss what to do in case any adult or child makes them upset.
You should also tell your child about fire safety procedures and the dangers when leaving the school gate.