Do you remember your first day at school? Do you remember walking into the yard with your new shiny shoes and backpack, absolutely petrified about what would come next?

As a parent, your kid’s first day at school is a milestone. As a kid, it’s a mountain. There are certain things you can do as parents to make that transition that bit easier and prepare your child for the journey ahead.

Carolyn Melmed, a teacher and certified meditator, believes that the parent’s mindset can really affect how the child deals with this change. She recommends 3 ways parents can embrace the change to help prepare their kids for the first day of school:

Motivation

Encourage your child to be excited about their first day! Motivate them by emphasizing how exciting it will be, and if they’re not particularly keen on going to a new school, focus on the things that they do like (like great sports facilities or a cool new backpack). If you’re excited about their first day, it will give them more reason to be too.

Method

Teach your child to follow a certain routine or method with their school books, clothing and everything else. Emphasize that they should do their homework when they receive it, so that they have time to do other fun things in the evenings. Show them the best way to pack their school bag, and where things should go so they don’t lose them.

Discipline

This actually comes once your child has spent their first week or so at school. Avoid clearing out the stationary section of Staples before you’ve actually received the school supply list from your child’s teacher. They may require certain colours for different subjects, specific pens or types of binders, so wait until you know what you actually need until you go crazy clearing the shelves!

If your child is wary about their first day of school, it’s okay. This is a normal part of childhood and it’s a daunting experience for any child. Your job as a parent is to assure them that it will be ok, that they shouldn’t be scared and that it will be a fun adventure! If your child is particularly worried, you could always arrange a tour around the school, or find out if any of your child’s friends are attending the same school. This may make your child feel at ease and a bit more comfortable making the transition.

What are your best tips to prepare your kids for the first day of school? Do you think these principles work? If not, why? We’d love to know!

Source: http://www.parentscanada.com/school/how-parents-can-prepare-for-their-childs-first-day-of-school

Image: https://flic.kr/p/6TxKRM