Government of South Australia Children, Youth and Women's Health Service     Thousands of children will have their first day at school soon and this can be stressful for little children who are used to a very different routine.  School can be a strange and scary place for beginners it’s important for parents to give children support and encouragement.

The following tips can help your child prepare for school.

• It will help if your child clearly knows where school is in relation to home - if you can, walk there with
  your child a few times even if you normally intend to drive.
• Talk to your child about what will happen when he or she starts school.
• Show your child around the school - some schools are open to the public after hours so you can
  walk through and play on the equipment and find the toilets when other children are not around
  (check with the school first).
• Show your child where you will meet him/her after school and don’t be late to pick up your child
• Prepare your child for what will happen. Make sure your child has clothes he/she can manage and
  that lunch is easy to unwrap.
• Read a story about a child who just started school, or talk about when you started school (as long
  as it has a happy ending).
• If your child is anxious about leaving you, ask him/her what would help. For example, who should
  drop him/her off at school, where he/she wants to say goodbye, what he/she wants to wear and
  what he/she wants to do after school. Having some control over the situation can help to allay fears.
• Tell your child what you’ll be doing while he/she is at school.

Some other things you may need to prepare your child for include:

• The school bell or siren and what it means.
• How to drink from a water fountain.
• Putting up a hand to ask a question.
• Asking to go to the toilet.

Following these tips should ease not only your child’s mind over the first few weeks, but also your own.

From a media release by the Government of South Australia Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, January 2007.

For more information call the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 or go to www.cyh.com.

User forum - comment on this topic!