March 01, 2004

By: Barbara Wells
Website: http://www.1st-in-kids.com

Invest in Kids Offers Back-to-School Tips for Parents of Young Children

For some, back-to-school may signal the start of kindergarten. For other little ones, it may mean entry into a child care setting for the first time. For the entire family, these new routines may take some adjustment. Invest in Kids offers tips for parents of young children to help ease the transition for everyone involved.

Starting Kindergarten

Whether it’s your child’s first time away from you or she’s making the transition from child care to school, here are some things you can do to make the move easier.

1. Talk about the new routine. Talk to your caregiver about the new routine when school starts. Share this with your child so he is prepared for the change.

2. Talk about what won’t change. Prior to school starting, both you and your caregiver can talk about kindergarten, providing reassurance by reminding your child about all the things that will still be the same.

3. Visit the school in advance. If possible, during the summer, visit the school your child will be attending. If there is a playground, you may even want to spend some time there letting her play to become familiar with the environment.

4. Find out the name of your child’s teacher. School administrative offices are often open before the first day of school and may be able to provide you with some information.

5. Ease your child into class. Ask the school if you can visit during the first week perhaps staying for the first hour or until your child seems settled.

6. Reassure your child that you will be back. Make sure your child knows who will pick her up when school finishes. An anxious child may want to know exactly when that will be. Offer a cue from the routine, for instance: After you clean up the room you will hear the bell ring and you will know it’s time to go home. We’ll be waiting to pick you up. enthusiastic about school.

7.Talk about the wonderful things he will be doing at school – making friends, different kinds of art and play activities and of course learning. This should be done at home with you as well as with your child’s caregiver.

8. Help your child find friends from school. Find other children in the neighbourhood attending school. Your caregiver can help. Talk about them noting how much they enjoy school. Schedule some play dates in advance and have at least one familiar face.

9. Share your own stories. Talk about some of your own stories about school – what was it like for you when you started. If there are older siblings have them join in also.

10. Get ready together. Include her in the preparation for school. This can be as simple as deciding on snacks to send each day or buying school supplies. Including her will make her feel that this day is special and it really is all about her.

11. Share the excitement of growing up. Starting school is often seen as a sign of being a big boy. Talk to your child about how he feels about school. Being a big boy may be just what he wants or the prospect may be overwhelming. Be sensitive to his feelings and gently continue to talk about the wonderful things that happen at school.

12. Create a neighborhood walking bus. If there are other children in the neighborhood who your child knows and will be attending the same school you may want to walk to school together giving a sense of community to your child even away from his home.

13. Make a special exhibit at home. Set up a special place at home where your child will be able to display work that comes home from school. Even before school starts you can decorate this space together.

Starting Child Care

Whether it’s a family home care setting or centre-based care, here are some tips to help make the transition easier for everyone.

1. Start talking about the new routine well in advance of the first day. For instance, if mom will be doing the drop off, she could start talking about the ride to child care. Talk to your child about the new routine that will take place once in care. Familiarize yourself and your child with the names of the teachers as well as the other children.

2. Arrange advance visits. Advance visits, for children of all ages, allow your child to become familiar with the caregiver, the routine, and the other children. Visits can begin several weeks before the first day.

3. Ease your child in and out. At the start, a parent or other family member should visit with the child for 30 minutes to two hours. Over the next few weeks, arrange to leave your child for a period of time without you. This will help the caregiver and child get to know each other. It will also show your child that you will come back. During the first full week, you may want to pick up your child a little earlier on the first day, gradually increasing the length of stay as the week progresses.

4. Make introductions to the new children. Getting to know the other children and the other parents will be important for you and your child. During visits, be sure to introduce your child to children in his or her group. Similarly, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to some of the other parents.

5. Take touches of comfort. Allow your child to take something that will give her comfort—a special toy, blanket, even a picture of you.

6. Make a comfort call. Talk to your caregiver to agree on a time you can call during the day. It’s important to plan this together to ensure your call won’t take the caregiver’s attention away from the children at a busy time.

7. Touch base with your caregiver every day. Exchange information about your child’s day or the evening at home. For instance, if your child had a restless night it is important your caregiver know so she can respond to any unusual behaviours or needs that may arise as a result. Similarly, as you head into the evening, you should know if your child was fussy at child care.

8. Talk with your child. Each day, talk with your child about special things that happened at child care.

9. Have an older sibling visit. If there’s an older sibling in the same child care setting, ask that she be given the opportunity to visit her younger brother during the day during the adjustment period.

10. Be specific about pick-ups. Reassure your child that you will be back. Make sure he knows who will pick him up at the end of the day and when. Even if he is not old enough to really tell time, one of the ways children learn to tell time is when pick-up routines become established.

About The Author:

Barbara Wells is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com.  Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.