Preparing Your Child for School: A Parent's Guide
Starting school is a big step for your child, and as a parent and whānau, you want to make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible. To help you and your child navigate this exciting new journey, we've gathered some valuable tips from Catriona Eagles, a past kindergarten parent at Four Seasons. These tips ensure your child is prepared, not overwhelmed, and ready to embrace their school adventure.
Before Starting School
Increase ECE Hours: In the months leading up to school, consider increasing your child's Early Childhood Education hours to help them adjust to a five-day school week gradually. Going from 3 days at kindergarten to 5 days at school can be a big jump for some children.
Beginners Program: All schools will offer a beginner's program. It's an excellent way for both you and your child to begin to get familiar with the school environment. Consider spending some quiet time with your child after a school visit to allow for questions, and time to digest what has been experienced. Rushing back to kindergarten after a school visit can compound some big feelings a child may have about the upcoming transition.
Additional School Visits: Connect with your school to arrange extra school visits at various times, such as the beginning of the day, lunchtime, and during school assembly. This can help your child become familiar with the school bell, the playground, and the daily routine. Preview and predictability can be beneficial for children.
Simplify Schedules: Consider reducing afternoon and weekend activities to help your child cope with the new school experiences. Lots of downtime that is unscheduled will help to restore energy levels and allow your child time to digest all the new experiences. Whilst there are lots of after-school activities available in Taupō, let your child settle into their new school life without the rush and bustle of filling their afternoons with more ‘stuff to do’. Unstructured downtime is gold for the new entrant child.
Toileting: Help your child locate and feel comfortable using the school toilets. Typically, there are more than the toilets close to their classroom. Discover where the nearest toilets are to the hall, library and playground. Pack spare clothes, and talk to them about going during breaks. Make sure they know how to ask the teacher to use the toilet.
Explore the School: Familiarise your child with different areas of the school, such as the library, school office, and the sick bay. Discuss where they can and can't go.
Lunchboxes and Kai
Practice using a lunchbox and drink bottle, if your tamaiti has spent their ECE with us at Four Seasons, this will be a new experience for them in a group setting.
Chat about morning tea and lunch and spread what they eat over the two periods.
Additionally, ask if your teacher has a 'brain break' (typically, a fruit snack during the morning).
Check the school's food policies for guidelines that are followed.
Generally, new entrants are supervised during morning tea and lunch.
Consider your child's abilities with opening packets, yoghurts, etc.
Most schools encourage a zero-waste lunchbox, minimising packaging.
Routine
Get the daily and weekly routine from the teacher in advance and discuss it with your child to prepare them.
Relief Teachers: Find out who the relief teachers are and how often your child's teacher has non-contact time (when the teacher has a day/time out of the classroom). Explain this to your child in advance.
What day is the assembly held? Which day do they visit the library?
Once School Has Started
First Day: Arrive early on the first day to help your child unpack their bag and connect with a friend, toy, or book. Discuss a plan during your initial visits with your child's teacher for dealing with any big feelings that may arise.
Reconnect Plan: Establish a routine for picking up your child at the end of the day. Ask your child's teacher if they encourage you to come into the classroom at the end of the day or to wait outside to reconnect.
Week 3 Meltdown: Be prepared for the tiredness that often sets in around the third week. It's normal for children to exhibit tired or wired behaviour. A mental/emotional health day mid-week or taking a 3-day weekend can help with energy levels. No one learns well when they are tired.
Tips for Preparing Your Family
Starting school isn't just a change for your little one; it can also affect your family's routines. Here are some tips to help everyone adjust:
Younger Siblings: If you have younger children and they've spent time together at kindergarten, be prepared for them to be unsettled when being dropped off at kindergarten without their older sibling. This transition may take a few weeks. Plan which child you will settle first: your school or kindergarten child.
Meal Planning: Plan and prepare evening meals in advance. You may need dinner earlier during the first few weeks.
Avoid the Supermarket: After a long day (especially if it’s been hot) a trip to the supermarket after school can be a recipe for disaster.
Understanding the School
To make your child's school experience as smooth as possible, it's essential to understand the school environment and its expectations:
Websites and Apps: Find out which websites, social media or apps the school uses for communication.
Newsletters: Sign up for school newsletters when you enrol, and include all parents to share the responsibility of staying informed about school events and information.
Homework and Fees: Understand the school's homework expectations and any associated fees or costs for extracurricular activities.
Advocacy: Connect with your child's teacher to find out how they prefer to discuss any concerns or needs as they arise. Do they like to communicate via email, phone call, or making a set time to catch up? The start and end of the school day can be a busy time, so making time to connect outside of these hours can be helpful.
Parents' Tips
To ensure your child's belongings are safe and they are prepared for their first day, consider the following:
Uniform: If your school has a uniform, it's essential to label all clothing. Find out where the lost property is located and visit it with your child as part of the transition into school.
Stationery: Understand what stationery is expected, what resources are shared in the class, and what your child needs for personal use.
Toys: Discuss what your child can bring with them to school. Cherished toys and collectables can be a big responsibility for a child to keep safe whilst at school. Your child might think it’s a great idea, and it is a part of wanting to belong, but can lead to tears when things go missing or get broken.
Parent Help: If you have time, offer to get involved in your child's class, whether listening to reading, sharpening pencils, or other activities.
Starting school is a significant milestone in your child's life. With these tips, you can help them navigate this transition confidently.