How to Ease the Condition of the Child Before the Start of the School Year

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With a new school year, parents dive into an absolute mess running to the shops in search of uniforms, textbooks, and other necessities. However, the most important thing your child needs is emotional support. Whether your kid is returning to school after the holidays or going there for the first time, the upcoming events may cause high anxiety. And in this article, you'll learn how to cope with it.

Don't Carry Your Emotional State onto Your Child

If a school makes your child sad or even sick, separation anxiety may be the cause. It's an unhealthy attachment between parent and child that deprives the latter of the ability to act independently without mum or dad. Moreover, it's often difficult for parents to let go of their children.

Sheila Linville, with more than thirty years of experience in Montessori Academy, recalls a case where the mother was both the source and the solution to the problem. Little Jessica cried every time she had to say goodbye to her mum. But when Sheila asked Jessica why she was crying, she said she didn't know and was doing it because of her mother.

Parents are often surprised that separation anxiety can arise during the school year, even when things start pretty smoothly. It usually happens due to a break in routine, such as after long holidays or when the child has been sick for several days and has stayed home surrounded by their mother's care.

Parents' emotions often direct children's behavior, so you should demonstrate joy and happiness about going to school. But unfortunately, nervous parents unconsciously transmit their feelings to their children. But your task is to ease the kid's condition before the start of the school year, not the reverse.

Prepare for the Start of the School Year in Advance

The start of the school year is an emotional event that requires a more thoughtful approach. Remember, it's not just about planning the moves from home to school and back. The first thing you need to do is to help your child get used to school or eliminate their anxiety about it. So it's best not to put it off until the last day. Getting ready for school is a long process that requires attention and energy.

You can teach your child to separate time through role-playing games. At first, you can leave your kid alone for half an hour, then an hour, and so on. Everything will be fine if first graders know that mum comes for them. To find out what your child thinks about going to school, you can act as a teacher and ask your child what they think about expecting at school. Then switch roles and let your son or daughter take on the part of the teacher. This way, you can get to know their thoughts and correct possible mistakes.

Too Scary? A Trial Day Can Help

If your child is too anxious before the school year begins, try a trial day at school. Visit the classroom, meet the teachers, and find out where the restrooms and cafeteria are. Establishing a relationship with the teacher helps your child understand they have someone to rely on in the new place. Arrange with the parents of future classmates for a children's party, go with your son or daughter to get all the little things they need.

Remember that you can turn the beginning of the school year into a bright holiday. First, persuade your child that school is fun. Then, if your kid is still worried and doesn't want to part with you, give them a family photo and put a note with warm words in the lunch box. When saying goodbye, smile and cheer up your little first grader.

A positive start to the day also plays an essential role in shaping the right attitude towards learning. Next, establish a routine that is stress-free for both parent and child. For example, on the way to school, play calm music in the car, turn off the phone and focus entirely on your child.

If your son or daughter doesn't like school or finds it difficult to be away from you, don't react sharply. Don't pressure them to make friends with their classmates as quickly as possible, but ask what exciting today was. And to make sure the start of the school year goes smoothly for you and your child, we've prepared a helpful table.

You can't	Be nervous and show it to your child Talk to the teacher about how the child is feeling Insist that it's time to make friends Be hung up on negative emotions and react inappropriately to them Cry while sending your child off to school Stand outside the classroom window for a long time
You can	Smile and encourage the child Smile and encourage the child Go away when the teacher calls children to come to class Put encouraging notes in the lunchbox Invite play with classmates Establish a calm and joyful routine
Elements of school preparation	Role-playing games Reading books about school Trial day and meet the teacher Going shopping together for school supplies A party for classmates Education independence

Conclusion

For yesterday's kindergarteners, their first day at school is a reason to be proud because they are now grown up. The older ones are just happy to meet their old friends. So a little bit of anxiety these days is usual. However, if you ensure your child understands the need to go to school, talk about their feelings and experiences and introduce them to new teachers and classmates, all anxiety soon disappears.


Guest Blogger: Tiffany Porter is an expert writer who specializes in creating various training and professional upgrade courses, materials, manuals, and reviews for Best Essays Education websites. She also likes traveling and speaks German and French.