You can help support your child in their first weeks in school by establishing routines at home, showing that you value their progress, and encouraging them to take pride in their work.

After the first day

Your child may be more tired than usual and need time to relax. You may find that rather than becoming more ‘grown up’, they may regress or become more difficult or defiant, in response to the stress of a new routine.

Your child may also have concerns about making friends or be more withdrawn than usual. (more…)

Going from long, sunny summer days back to the classroom can be an emotional time for your child. It’s normal for her to experience mixed feelings about returning to school. In fact, school tops the list of worries for kids ages 7 to 12.

Try to bridge the gap between summer activities and the new school year. If your child reads a lot, start to praise her for that and remind her that it is really going to help you with her assignments when she is back at school. If she spent the summer swimming you can remind her that her new strength will help with her after-school sports.

Every child responds to going back to school differently, but you can take steps to address their worries and make the transition smoother. (more…)

It’s back to school time!

Kids today like to have a certain brand of shoe for school – which is usually identical to everyone else’s shoes.  So if your kids are anything like mine were they would often get them mixed up and bring another kids shoes home.

Or I would open up their sports bag and there were strange sports shoes in there – and they hadn’t even noticed!

Maybe you are tired of not being able to find your kids shoes at the indoor play places?

Or you want to label your child’s sports shoes or ballet & tap shoes?

So there’s a easy answer now – shoe labels.

These are so easy to apply, as all you need to do is peel-and-stick.  These shoe labels are laminated to avoid wear and tear caused from the friction of rubbing feet.  They are very kid friendly and hard wearing and  your children won’t even notice they are there.  Shoes are expensive, right – so try LabelDaddy shoe labels and don’t risk losing or getting mixed up shoes again.

• 9 Back To School Shopping Tips (frugaldad.com)
• First Day Of School

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My topic of the week once again next week will be ’First Day at School’.  Tune in for wise advice on easing those back to school fears and tears.

Explain where they’ll be going, what they’ll be doing, and for how long.
Answer questions, and work through any fears by asking what they think the school might be like.
Emphasise the things they may enjoy doing.
Don’t dismiss your child’s fears – things that seem obvious or silly to an adult can seem overwhelming to a five year old.
 

Building on practical skills

Make sure your child has a good idea of what school is going to be like. If they have already experienced learning activities at home and in other settings, they’re less likely to find the experience stressful. Role playing, games and reading at home can help your child get into the right frame of mind and boost their confidence.
Activities for your child could include:

Playing games that involve taking turns or speaking in front of a group
Playing with children of a similar age to develop social skills
Reading books about starting school
Using your child’s favourite toys to role-play going to school
Painting and drawing, which involve sitting down for short periods of time

Just a little preparation can make a big difference – your child will soon settle in to their new routine.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
by Gregory K.

I don’t know the teacher.
I sure hope she’s nice.
But what if she’s mean with a heart cold as ice???
What about bullies?
There might be a bunch.
And what a disaster if I mess up lunch!
I don’t like that playground:
The slide hits the sky!
And now here at drop-off, I can’t say “goodbye.”
My stomach is queasy.
My stress can’t be greater…
But then a voice calms me,
“Bye, Dad! See ya later!”

The foundation stage is a crucial time for children –  it sets them up for their time at school in years to come. But the first day of school is often traumatic for both children and parents. Here are some tips on how to cope with those tears.
Your little one is torn between the excitement of the first day at school, and the shock, of the new experience. For many, separation from mum and dad will have been experienced before now, but the symbolic significance of the first day at school marks a stage in child development that can be hard for all involved to handle smoothly.
It’s essential that adequate time be devoted to preparation well in advance of a child’s first day.

 Often, fear of the unknown is at the root of much anxiety and this can be easily avoided through visits to the school and classroom and a gradual building up of familiarity. The two main threads of this preparation are the practical – what does the child and parent need to know? and the emotional – what are the typical emotions experienced and how might they be understood and managed? (more…)

My topic of the week next week will be ‘First Day at School‘

Tons of tips for helping your small child get used to going to school, the supplies you will need and where to find them.

Also advice for back to schoolers, older children returning to school after the long summer break.

Join us all next week!