What to Expect When Your Child Starts School

Sending your child off for their very first day ofhow quickly they will learn.
school is a nerve wracking experience. So muchTalk to Your Children
of their future seems to depend on this singleMost children who are anxious about the first day
day. There are always doubts about whether orof kindergarten are really worried that they won't
not they are really ready to mind someone else,be smart enough to keep up with their
if there mind is ready to absorb knowledge, and ifclassmates. After taking your child to the open
they will make lifelong friends. The most agonizinghouse, spend some time talking to them about
part of the day is the concern that the thingsexactly what they will be doing during their first
your child experiences their first day of school willfew days of schools. The best time to discuss
change them.this is on the way home from the open house
The best thing you can do is take a deep breathwhen the experience is still fresh in their mind.
and relax. It might not seem like it right now, butWhen you are discussing the upcoming school
everything will be okay. Your child will be just fine,days with your child, it is important to make sure
especially is you know what to expect.that you keep your voice light and cheerful. Push
Take Advantage of the Open Houseyou own anxieties aside. If you sound and appear
Most schools have an open house before the firstconfident in your child's ability to do well on their
day of school. It is really important that parentsfirst day of kindergarten, you child will start to
take advantage of this event. The open houseshare your confidence.
provides the child with a chance to see theMake a Big Deal of the First Day
classroom and meet some of their futureWhen your child gets home from their first day
classmates. It also gives the parents the chanceof school, it is important to make sure that you
to meet the teacher and get some of theirtalk to them. As soon as they get home, you
questions answered. Many parents are surprisedneed to drop everything that you are doing and
to find that a child who was nervous about schoolmake sure that they tell you what they learned,
is suddenly excited and can't wait for the firstwho they saw, and how they felt. The more
day.interest you show in the child's first day, the
The purpose of the open house is twofold. Yes, itmore they will share with you as their school year
is good for the parents and children, but it alsoprogresses. Knowing that their parents are
gives the teacher a rare opportunity to see howinterested in their school life will help your child
the child interacts with their parents, who will helpsenjoy the experience more, which will make them
them guess how the child will interact with theirmore open to the learning process.
classmates, if they will be a discipline problem, and