By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
All over the Two River area, kids of all ages are getting ready for their first day. From preschool through college, that first day in the classroom can be a daunting or dynamic experience.
As the big day approaches, children about to begin preschool may experience a range of emotions, including excitement, anticipation and even a little anxiety or nervousness. Parents can help their children manage such emotions by taking various steps to make the first day of preschool as fun as possible.
The American Pediatrics Association suggests starting your child on their school sleep/wake schedule a week or so ahead of time so that time change is not a factor on their first couple of days at school.
One of the best ways to help a child adjust to a new schedule is ensuring they’re well-rested and prepared. “Make sure they get enough sleep,” said Barbara Mullen, director of Ivy Hill Preschool in Rumson and Middletown. “Pack everything the night before. Bring their ‘luvies’, if they need them.”
Other ways to help ease into the first day of preschool:
• Request a class list. Some schools may not provide a class list and some will. Parents who can access the class list can go over the list with their children before the start of school. Doing so can lessen youngsters’ anxiety as they will no doubt recognize a few familiar names on the list. Knowing friends will be in class alongside them will no doubt make kids more excited for their first day.
• Discuss activities with school officials, including teachers. Some kids may not be nervous about going to preschool, but might not be looking forward to the end of summer. In such instances, reaching out to teachers and/or other school officials to learn what kids will be doing can help. Discuss first-day and early-year activities with teachers and then share that information with kids. Once children learn how much fun they’ll be having in class, they might be less reluctant to say goodbye to summer.
Discussing what will happen in school is helpful. “We’re all afraid of the unknown,” said Zachary Klausz, director of A Child’s Place in Lincroft. “Talk it through to dispel the fear of the unknown. A lot of times families do very well when they make a plan in advance of how it’s going to go happen,” he said. “There’s a comfort when parents make a plan, structure and stick to it.”
• Let youngsters choose their clothes for the first day. When shopping for first-day-of-school attire, let kids choose their own outfits, explaining to them that the first day of school is a special day worthy of new clothes. Once the big day arrives, kids may forget their nerves and just be excited to get dressed and show off their new duds, especially if they’re wearing clothes they hand-picked themselves.
• Attend a school orientation day. If your child’s school hosts a student/family orientation day, be sure to attend. Orientation will give kids a chance to see their classroom and meet fellow students as well as their teacher. That familiarity can calm children’s nerves on the first day.
Make sure to touch base with your child’s new teacher at the beginning or end of the day so the teacher knows how much you want to be supportive of your child’s school experience.
“I cater to working parents,” Mullen said, and for young children keeping parents apprised of what their child is doing throughout the day can be helpful.
So when it’s time to say goodbye remember preschool is a team effort. “We are not Mary Poppins but we are really good with children,” said Mullen.
Mullen believes parents should make their goodbyes quick. “They need to be quick. The longer they stay, the harder the separation,” she said.
Klausz says often parents worry their child will have trouble separating and instead ”it’s the parents standing outside in the lobby that need the consoling,” he said.
“First rule of thumb, is listen to your children and follow their cue. Some separate very easily and that’s great,” said Klausz. “Some have a harder time and that’s OK too. You have to be aware of the child and listen to their cue.
“When a preschool has done its job right, and built a bridge from classroom to home,” he said, “a child picks up on that.”
