Kindergarten students often have first day of school jitters.
That's to be expected.
You can also expect your older child to have first day jitters if they're starting a new school.
Here's what you can do to help them overcome their jitters and have a successful school year.
oAsk open-ended questions and truly listen to their answers.
Are they afraid, nervous, worried, or some other feeling? Ask them what makes them feel that way.
Helping them talk out their feelings may make starting a new school a little less scary.
oGo on a tour of the school.
If your child is going to a new school, help alleviate some of their fears by going to the school a few days before school actually starts.
Try to visit while the teachers are there so your child can meet their teacher.
They may be able to see where their desk will be and what the classroom and school layout is.
Knowing a little more about the school and not feeling lost will make the first day of school easier on them.
oReview before school starts.
When going from one grade to another, particularly if they're going to a new school, a child may be fearful.
They may be afraid they're going to have more work than they can handle, they may be afraid that they won't have any friends, or any number of things.
Go over some of the work they did the previous year to help get them back up to speed.
oTalk to the teacher.
If you can, try to get a list of the students that will be in your child's class.
Make contact with the parents of those students so some of the children can meet before school starts.
This may help your child feel better about a new school as well as the other children.
Knowing someone at a new school is sure to make the prospects less fearful.
oTell them stories from your childhood.
If you can remember how you felt when you moved from one school to another it may help your child feel better.
Of course, you don't want to make up a story in an attempt to change their feelings, but letting them know how you dealt with a similar issue may do just that.
oPractice makes perfect.
Long before school starts, have your children practice getting their clothes ready the night before so everything is laid out for them in the morning.
They will know when school starts how to get ready because they'll be in the habit of preparing the night before.
oAnswer any questions your child may have.
Will they have to change classes during the day? Will they have time to use the restroom between classes? What do they do if you forget to pick them up? These are some of the questions your child may have when starting a new school.
Do what you can to alleviate their fears by answering their questions to the best of your abilities.
If you don't know, don't hesitate to contact the school to get the answers for them.
It's normal for students to feel a little bit uneasy and jittery when they're starting a new school.
By taking some time, asking questions, and listening to their answers, you will be able to understand how they're feeling and what's making them uneasy.
Talk to them, find answers to their questions, and you may find that their new school jitters melt away.
By C.
D.
Moore