The first day of school isn’t just nerve-wracking for your child, it can be nerve-wracking for the parents too! Aww yes, many a tear is shed on a child’s first day, and sometimes separation anxiety can get the best of your child. You know, the old holding onto mummy or daddy for dear-life or crocodile tears as you turn your back on the school and head off to work… This is why we at Little Human Scholars, a playschool, preschool, nursery, daycare, and kindergarten in PJ advise parents to “pump their children up” about school BEFORE they join.
A few weeks before your child is due to enter school, daycare or nursery, tell them what is happening and all the good things that are going to happen at school. There is going to be new friends, fun, games, activities, arts and crafts, music and field trips. Most importantly, if you have enroled your child at Little Human Scholars school in PJ (LHS for short), learning is a form of play – basically, your child learns and retains more information because education is FUN in our little preschool, playschool, kindergarten, and daycare center in PJ. As it turns out, statistics show that when learning is fun, not only do they retain more information, but they look forward to having more lessons!
Tips on Getting Your Child Ready To Start School
- Pump them up for school by talking with them daily about all the fun and wonderful things they will experience while there. We said it above and we will say it again – a few weeks before school starts, communicate with your child about what to expect in school. Sure, there will be some children who resist change to their schedule, but with a little coaxing and a couple weeks of talking about it with them, they will know what to expect when they start school!
- Ask them what it is they want to learn in school. Do they like arts and crafts, music or math and English? Do they work with their hands, are they social or do they like to sit back and watch everyone before delving into the activity? Noticing what your child likes and doesn’t like helps you determine their learning style – once you know this, you can discover more on how to work with your child other than against them!
- Engage them by having them pick out their clothes and shoes for school. Where some schools have strict uniform policies, Little Human Scholars wants the students to express their individuality through the clothes they wear. When your child gets to pick out their wardrobe, you are giving them responsibility and freedom to think for themselves – who wouldn’t want to show that in front of other students?
- If your child is a little clingy on the first day, give yourself a little time to spend at the school. Sometimes an additional 15 to 20 minutes of mommy or daddy being there is just the trick to make them comfortable. Don’t exasperate separation anxiety by sticking around longer if they cry. When parents and teachers give into a child’s whims when they cry, they are essentially training them that this is how to get what they want out of life – cry and you will get your way.
Many of us understand this doesn’t work in the real world, and though it can be hard, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your child when leaving them at school is to simply walk away and let them cry.
You would be surprised how little children cry after their parents leave the school. Sure, they may cry for a couple minutes, but eventually they get over it and join the classroom!
In summary, you can set you and your child up for success by following these simple tips which help prepare them for the new change in their daily routine. Little Human Scholars is a preschool, playschool, kindergarten, nursery and full day daycare (with extended hours) in the heart of PJ near PJ Old Town, PJ New Town, Jaya One, Jaya 33, University Hospital, Jalan Gasing and the PJ IT Mall. If you are interested in checking out one of our many programmes, feel free to fill out the form here or to call us at +6017-7303-025 and someone will schedule you in!
Happy parenting!
Jana Moreno,