| ny parent, their child's first day of school is a very | | | | supply store to obtain your child's school supplies, have |
| important event. Parents and children alike often shed | | | | them come along and pick out some things that they |
| tears as they part at the gates of the school. Children, | | | | want. This way, school becomes just another normal |
| in particular, are often fearful of venturing into the | | | | activity instead of something secret and mysterious. |
| unknown and having to learn to be independent. School | | | | Often, children fear school because it is an unknown |
| is a big mystery to them, and they are understandably | | | | factor for them. Parents can easily avoid this by taking |
| afraid of it. As parents, you must understand how to | | | | their children to visit their school before the school term |
| ease your child's transition from home life to schooling | | | | actually starts. This helps the child become familiar with |
| life, and make it as painless a process as possible. This | | | | school beforehand, and come the first day of school, |
| entails knowing some of the tricks that many parents | | | | they will not feel as lost, helping to eliminate a good |
| before you have found effective in this particular | | | | amount of fear that normally accompanies attending |
| situation. | | | | school for the first time. Once the child knows what |
| While it is good to get the child excited about going to | | | | school is like, school loses its strange and mysterious |
| school, many parents overdo it. Telling the child about | | | | aspect, and becomes just another fact of life. |
| the positive aspects of school often does help them | | | | Finally, too many parents dismiss their child's worries |
| prepare for their first day of school, but making them | | | | about school. To the children, these worries and fears |
| overly anxious about it is counterproductive. Some | | | | are very real and parents should take the time to |
| children place too much pressure on themselves | | | | assuage their fears in a direct and soothing manner. |
| thinking about the first day of school and are unable to | | | | Talk to your child and try to determine the root of their |
| cope with it. When the big day finally arrives, they are | | | | worries. Young children are often very concerned that |
| reduced to a blubbering ball of nerves. | | | | they will not be accepted at school or that their |
| Some children are unable to understand why school | | | | teachers might not like them. Do your best to reassure |
| should be so exciting. If it truly was nothing to worry | | | | your child that such things are very unlikely and explain |
| about, then why should their parents harp on it? Soon, | | | | why. For example, with the sheer number of children |
| these children suspect that their parents are making | | | | at school, your child is sure to find some with whom |
| such as fuss in order to cover up some terribly secret | | | | they would like to be friends and who would to be |
| about school. In much the same way as telling a child | | | | friends with your child. Rationalizing such fears is much |
| that something will not hurt is sure to make the child | | | | more effective than simply telling a child that he or she |
| expect pain, they come to fear school even as you tell | | | | is being silly and that no such thing will happen. |
| them that there is really nothing to fear. | | | | On the day itself, keep your cool and say goodbye to |
| By all means, talk to your child about school and | | | | your child as you normally would if you were simply |
| answer any questions he or she may have, but do so | | | | leaving home for work. A hug and some soothing |
| in a way that impresses upon them how school is | | | | words are all you need to give them before you send |
| simply another part of everyday life. You went to | | | | them on their way. You should not cling to your child as |
| school before them, the kid next door goes to school, | | | | this will not have a positive impact on the child and he |
| even cousin Timmy goes to school. This helps relieve | | | | or she is likely to cling to you in return. As long as the |
| any pressure that the child may have been feeling | | | | child feels as if nothing is wrong and that you are |
| about having to attend school for the first time. You | | | | simply dropping them off as you might drop them off |
| could even take your child shopping for his or her | | | | at a relative's house for the day, they will be fine. |
| school supplies. When you make that trip to the school | | | | |