5 Tips to Start School Easier

Starting school can be an uncertain time for your child who may be feeling anxious, excited and so much more. Here are 5 Tips to help them Start School Easier.

1. Have a few trial lunch days where you pack the child a lunch box at home (if not done at preschool) and ensure they eat correct little lunch first then big lunch, this is particularly important if all food is in one lunch box. And ensure they can unwrap their lunch.
2. Children need to be aware of the time frame of preparing for school each morning. Much conflict erupts of a morning between parents and children when the children are slow to become ready for school or bus. Set clear expectations and consequences so they understand; and remember children have no concept of time under about 7 years old so telling them you have half an hour to get ready will mean nothing to them.
   Ensure your rule includes no TV of a morning or at least until they are up, dressed, breakfast, teeth brushed and bag packed – ready to walk out the door. If they are ready early, some TV or computer game is permitted but only after they are ready.
3. Separating from the child when they commence school. Mum standing at the gate crying will only tell the child that this school is scary and bad. Parents hugging their child emotionally and telling them how much they will miss their child will make the child sad and anxious. First day, meet the teacher, show your child around, smile and go. Drop off and leave with a smile, perhaps wearing a large dark pair of sunglasses to hide any tears or emotion.
4. Take the child to the school and show them around. Many children are scared they do not know where their classroom is or where the toilets are. Show them the Kindy area and toilets.
5. Label everything – all clothing, bags, lunch box, drink bottle. If the child puts their item down and other children’s items are the same, a child can become distressed thinking the other child has taken their item or its lost. Labelling all items will prevent this and assist the teacher to sort out correct belongings. Place their first name and first letter of surname at least.

Written by Dr Karen Phillip, Counselling Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist. Karen works extensively with couples and families. Karen has worked as the Family Therapist and Parenting Expert on the TODAY Show has done a number of segments on TODAY Extra on TCN9 Network in Australia and regularly appears on Channel 7, speaking about all things family, relationships and children. Dr Karen is also the creator of VirtualHypnotherapy.com a new and innovative platform to assist those needing help using ground-breaking hypnotherapy techniques.