School is a new stage for your child to learn and develop socially, academically, and psychologically. Therefore, how you prepare them can decide how fast they acclimate to their new environment. Learn a few tips to help you prepare your child for school.
Develop and Encourage Independence, Respect, and Responsibility
Your child’s school may require them to cultivate relationships with teachers. Your child will also need to understand how to complete and finish tasks independently within the school regulations. Therefore, independence, respect, and responsibility will be essential in the school environment. You can develop these three virtues with chores and self-care.
Chores
Simple chores like wiping the dinner table or picking up toys can help your child understand to be responsible for themselves. Do not compare how well they can complete the task to how you would. Instead, ensure they can finish their chores. This interaction builds a community-centered mindset beneficial for academic environments.
Self-Care
Teach your child how to feed themselves, use the bathroom, clean themselves, and prepare themselves for school with minimal assistance. The self-care education will help them build a little independence. They won’t have to over-rely on their teacher for such basic tasks.
Start on Reading, Counting, and Writing Basics
Introductory phonology, counting, and cognition are essential to introduce your child to a more complex curriculum. Early interaction with books can create excitement for literature and other academic content.
Familiarize Them With the School
Visit the school with your child to familiarize them with the environment. Also, visit the school’s website with your child and show them pictures of the facility, faculty, and other students. This can help them relax if they visualize what to expect when they finally attend classes.
Develop Social Skills
Classes will mandate that students work with teachers and each other to learn and complete assignments. Therefore, teach your child speaking etiquette, like taking turns and listening. Also, advise them to speak openly with teachers if they need something. Their social skills will determine how their classmates and teachers interact with them.
Encourage a Healthy Sleep Pattern
Adequate sleep will help your child regenerate energy for their school day. Therefore, encourage a healthy sleep pattern that gives them sufficient time for rest. Enough sleep will also enable them to wake up early enough to prepare themselves before school.
Prepare a Healthy Breakfast
Prepare a simple and healthy breakfast for your child and get them used to their meal time. Also, you can use various combinations of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins. For example, you could have milk, cereal, and fruits available.
Shop With Them for Their School Necessities
Shopping can help your child build confidence and ease them into academic life. Let them choose their school items and accessories like a pencil case, lunch box, and backpack. They can get excited about their impending school life if they decide what they want.
Acknowledge Their Emotional Development
Every child will express different sentiments towards school. Some may be excited, others may fear the uncertainty of a new environment, and others may feel nervous about leaving the security of their home. Whatever emotions your child expresses, respect them.
Talk with your child to understand what they feel about their new school life a few days before the due date. Once you have a deep conversation with them, acknowledge and resolve any issues as best as possible. When you take your child to school, trust the teachers to help you acclimate them to the environment.
Visit us at HMS Schools, Kaduna to enroll your child in our kindergarten curriculum.
