10 Tips For Getting You and Your Child Ready For Kindergarten!

By Maryanne Fitzgerald
Copywrite 2003

Starting shcool can be a stressful time for children, as well as
parents.
Do your eyes glisten with tears every time you think of your 'baby'
going off to school?
Do your nerves rattle when you envision your little one in the care
of someone else?
Do you wonder what you're going to do with all your spare time now
that you're child is starting school? (ok, so maybe you're not
wondering about that!)


Here are 10 ways to ease your child's fears and anxieties about
starting school (and yours too!)

1) Explain to your child that this is a new phase in their life.
They are a big boy/girl now, and they will learn all kinds of fun
things at school.

2) If your child is walking to school, pick the safest route, and
walk with them. This is a good chance to teach them about road
safety. i.e. looking both ways before crossing the street, etc.

3) Teach your child their full name, home address, parents names and
phone number.Practice this every day. A good time to practice is
while going to/coming home from shcool

4) If your child has never been away from you before, practice
leaving them with a friend for a few hours at a time, or taking them
to a play group.

5) Label coats, shoes, and bags with their name on the INSIDE, so
strangers cannot call them by name. And of course, teach them the
dangers of talking to strangers. Another good thing to practice
while walking to/from shcool.

6) Emphasize to your child that when you leave them at school, you
WILL come back for them. Hug them, kiss them, then leave. Don't
linger - this only makes it harder for you both.

7) Don't let your child hear you say things like 'I'm losing my
baby'. Always speak positively about school.

8) If you know who your child's teacher will be, tell your child
their name. If possible, have your child meet their teacher before
school starts.

9) Offer your child lots of reassurance. Don't tease or let anyone
mock his/her fears.

10) Above all, keep a positive attitude! If your child sees that you
are excited they will be excited as well. A positive attitude now
will serve them well for years to come!

Remember, it will be many years until they're off to college,
they're not
leaving the nest quite yet!


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Maryanne Fitzgerald is the publisher of Moms World
Ezine. To subscribe send email to:
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