Prepare your child

  1. Take your child to visit the school a couple of times before the scheduled date. For example when you are paying the fees or getting the uniform.
  2. Take a tour of the school, show your child his/her class, the bathroom and the playground.
  3. Try to arrange for your child to meet his/her class teacher and know her name.
  4. At home talk about going to school and what kinds of activities your child will do.
  5. Get your child excited about going by getting him/her involved in buying their school bag, lunchbox, water bottle or shoes.
  6. Pack a nutritious but very attractive lunchbox.
  7. Make the getting ready for school routine as stress-free as possible. For example wake up early enough, prepare the bag and clothes the night before.
  8. Read a story about going to school or make up a small song about how fun it is to go to school.
  9. When you say "don't be scared" the child tends to get more scared so, just reassure the child about how exciting school is.
  10. Identifying a buddy at school can also help decrease apprehension about being alone in the new setting.

 

What to do if your child has difficulties

  1. If your child has significant difficulty with separation, consider picking him/her early for the first day or two. Discuss the plan with the teacher. As he becomes more comfortable, make his stay longer until eventually, he stays the whole day.
  2. Be firm about attendance if your child is reluctant.
  3. At the end of the school, make every effort to return when he/she expects you to, don't make him wait and worry that you have forgotten him/her.
  4. Some children may show regression in some behaviors, such as clinginess, sleep difficulties, thumb sucking, bed wetting and a reluctance to go back to school. These behaviors should be temporary and will be helped by your continuing encouragement and positive expectations.

 

Dr. Mona Youssri