Ease Those First-Day-Of-School Jitters
We’ve all been there at one time in our lives. New school, new faces, and a whole new set of anxieties begin to take hold. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the pressures of trying to fit in at an entirely new school after moving, young children especially feel some uneasiness when heading to school for the first time. Here are six ways to help you make the transition a smooth one – for both you and your child.
1. Turn the apprehension of starting school into a fun adventure and discovery. A few weeks before school starts, take your child to the school and walk with them through the building. Find your child’s classroom, the lunchroom and the bathrooms. Giving them a tour of the school helps create familiarity with the building and gives your child a sense of independence.
2. If your child will be riding the bus, drive the route with him or her a few times to help them become familiar with the area. If they’ll be walking to and from school, create a route to and from the school and walk it together. This is the best time to go over basic safety rules as well, such as what to do if approached by a stranger, or if your child accidentally misses the bus.
3. Give your child something to look forward to whether they’re starting school for the first time, or moving up a grade. A small reward or treat of some kind for surviving the first-day jitters can help your child adjust more smoothly and calmly to their new surroundings.
4. Now that they’re starting a new school or new grade, what can your child look forward to? Perhaps this is a good time to start an allowance program or try out for a school sports team. With every year they grow, your child will develop an association that starting a new year of school means increased responsibilities and increased rewards.
5. No matter how old they are, all children want to be trendy during those first few days. For each child you have, plan a special school shopping day just for them. You may have to splurge on a few "must have" clothes or supplies, but keep it reasonable. Now is a good time to go through your child’s closet as well and take stock of their clothes – what fits, what doesn’t? What can be donated, what can be kept? Have your child try on the clothes he or she wants to keep, and look for ways to pair something old with something new – a great way to stay within your shopping budget, especially if you’ll be outfitting more than one child.
6. Last but not least, help your child get off to the best possible start on that first day by getting them to sleep in plenty of time for the next morning, and preparing a light but nutritious breakfast. Warm muffins, a hearty bowl of oatmeal or cinnamon rolls make that first day a real treat – and help curb the inevitable hunger pangs that can keep your child from concentrating.
If you’ve followed all the tips above, and the bus has rolled by on the first day, take time for yourself to sit back and relax. It won’t be long until caps and gowns will replace finger paints! Good luck! | 
