Getting Ready for School

Getting children ready for school is important. We want them to do well, so we make sure they have new clothes, eat a healthy lunch and can recite their “A, B, C’s.” But sometimes we forget how scary this new experience can be. Do not view your child’s fears or concerns as a sign of weakness, but rather as a common feeling we all get when confronted with a new situation. Remember your first day of school? As your child gets older, he will be less dependent on you to help him adjust to new situations.

  • Talking about school: Put together some pictures of children doing different things at school. Use these pictures to talk to your child about what will be expected of him when he goes to school. Can your child tell you what the children in the pictures are doing? You might want to point out that some children are afraid to go to school for the first time. (Some common fears children share are being separated from a beloved adult, sibling or object; or not knowing where the bathroom is.)

  • Visit the school: Show your child where her classroom, the cafeteria and bathrooms are. Teachers are often in the building a few days before school starts, so it might be a good idea to call and see if you can come in and meet your child’s teacher. Even if you can’t get into the building, visiting the playground and taking the walk or drive there will put your child more at ease the first day.

  • Read books about the first day of school: Let them see that they are not alone in having first-day jitters. Reading is a great way to get children to talk about their fears. And remember, if you are excited about the new school year, your child will be too.

Click here to learn more about your child's first day! Also learn what important skills he/she should have and some easy ways to work on those skills at home. More...

print:   email:

Food Program greyarrow: Child Care Job Bank greyarrow: CCCC Training Calendar greyarrow: Local Investment In Child Care (LINCC) greyarrow: Resource Lending Library greyarrow: Resource & Referral (R&R) greyarrow: License-Exempt Provider Program