Parents may have mixed emotions when the first day of school for their child finally arrives. Kindergarten is the beginning of a child’s educational journey for the next few years. Hence, it is always important for parents to provide an appropriate setting and pre-requisite environment wherein the child can adjust themselves to the new school environment.
The kindergarten days could make parents and the child nervous. This calls for certain steps to be taken so that the child can control their anxiety within the new environment and the parents can control their fear of adjustment and care for the child.
Although Kindergarten teachers are always there to support children throughout their kindergarten days, you should know about the steps that will prepare both you and your child mentally for their first day in kindergarten. In this article, we will explore some interesting strategies to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten.
Why prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten?
It is important to learn the facts or reasons why it is important to prepare your child. It will be a new experience for your child and he or she should understand the importance of being sent to kindergarten. The best way is to establish a good professional relationship with the teacher so that they can explore the school environment around children. Below are some of the reasons to understand the need to prepare your child for their first day in kindergarten strategically.
- Psychological preparedness:
- Introduction to the future:
- Transition:
- Knowing the thought process:
A child, until they enter kindergarten, will only know their home environment. Being with parents is a comfort zone for a kid while being with a teacher is someone they may not be comfortable with. Without knowledge of the future kindergarten days, it would be a mental shock for children to be put in a kindergarten class. Hence, it is important to communicate to the child about kindergarten days, kindergarten teachers, and when they will be going to school.
It is important for the child to learn about life. As a parent, you go on teaching basic actions like eating, playing, blabbering, etc. Likewise, letting them know that kindergarten is a part of life and they will soon go to one will help them be aware of what is coming next in their life. In other words, this creates mental preparedness and a sense of familiarity.
Kindergarten acts as a learning bridge between the home environment and the first step to schooling. Hence, the children should be aware of the schooling phase transition as they grow inquisitive about it.
Parents should communicate about kindergarten and share memories of their kindergarten days to let them know what happens on their first day of kindergarten. This will prevent any anxiety or fear within your child and they will be more confident about attending the first day of kindergarten and interacting with the kindergarten teacher.
8 ways to Prepare your child for Day 1:
It is important for parents to strategically design ways to create an atmosphere of acceptance. Enforcing kindergarten suddenly could hamper a child’s mood and emotional well-being. Therefore, preparedness before the first day could help normalise the experience of a new environment, and below are some of the ways to do it:
- Introduce a school atmosphere:
- Educational videos with school theme:
- Taking the child to a school:
- Introducing the teacher:
- Reading books about kindergarten:
- Friendship and Play:
- Mental support:
- Colourful lunch:
A role-play of teacher and student can be done by parents and the child to understand how activities in school are carried out. This will provide them with knowledge of the school atmosphere they will be entering.
There are several videos for kids where a school setup is shown. This will give an idea about how a school looks, and the parent can explain all the elements of the school being shown in the videos.
As admission seasons walk in, it would be a great experience for the child to see a school for the first time. Kindergarten schools will be visually appealing with all the colourful walls and pictures around the school premises. This aesthetic will excite them to go to school
At the time of admission, if the child is familiarised with the kindergarten teacher, the child would also know the teacher on their first day in kindergarten. This will not make the child feel alone or among strangers, which may otherwise instil fear.
Narrating stories about schools (either fictional or non-fictional) would make the child develop an interest in going to kindergarten.
The child should be made aware that in school, they will be playing and making new friends with other children. The knowledge of activities and games that will be played through the learning process will encourage them to look forward to their first day in kindergarten.
On the first day, mental support from parents would be important. The child will look forward to some encouragement while they adjust themselves to the classroom setting. A parent’s presence will provide moral support on the first day of kindergarten.
A healthy and colourful lunch, when packed, could excite the child to eat on the first day. With chocolates or sweets for other children, the child can also be motivated to make friends in the class.
The first day of kindergarten is always a special day for both the child and the parents. Nurturing and being supportive on this day could determine the happiness of the student. At Kangaroos Kids International Preschool, we provide a homely atmosphere for children to get adjusted to an environment of comfort and love. Contact us today to create a memorable first day in kindergarten and begin your child’s educational journey with us.
