While some children adjust well to the first day of school and fit well into the routine, some may find it difficult being separated from their parents, familiar faces and environments. No child’s behavior to the first day of school is predictable and so it is important to prepare. This is what we suggest
Visit the school where your child will be attending.
See the school environment, and get to know the routine, curriculum, meals, transportation, discipline policy, school fees, required uniforms and stationery. This will get both you and your child mentally prepared and excited for the school year.
Meet the teacher(s)
Meeting the people who will be spending a good portion of the day with your child is important. You can get more personal questions answered such as your child’s individual learning needs, toileting, allergies and any thing they might need from you to enhance your child’s learning experience.
Talk about school enthusiastically
Talking about school with your child will get them psychologically prepared to start school. Let them know that they will be spending the day with other kids and adults without you, but assure them that you will pick them up at the end of the school day.
Buy school supplies in advance
Purchase the school uniform, a bag, pencils, crayons, masks, raincoats, text and exercise books…etc. with your child in advance to help them get excited for school. Label their uniform and other items like their jacket to help them identify and know which ones are theirs.
Encourage independence
Show your child how to do their zips, buttons and shoe laces. Teach them how to eat on their own including eating with a spoon/fork
It is good if they can do toileting on their own, if not let them bee able to articulate that they would like to go to the toilet.
Set up a routine
Your child will be following an already set up timetable at school. Help them adjust by creating a morning and evening routine for them. The morning routine should include activities such as waking up, taking a bath, brushing teeth, getting dressed, breakfast and a goodbye routine. In the evening activities should gear toward winding down like a bath, homework, brushing their teeth, reading a story and getting to bed on time.
You should also set up a good bye routing to avoid separation anxiety, tears and temper tantrums
Enroll them in Daycare
If your child is 2 years or older, enrolling them in a daycare will help them make an easy transition to schooling. At The Kenneth Academy, we have an excellent daycare programme that focuses on transitioning a child from home to school. Get your child ready for school by enrolling them with us for Kshs. 8000 per month. We provide excellent care and two meals a day. A snack at break time, and a well-balanced meal at lunch. Children can be dropped off any time after 8:00 am and must be picked up before 4:30 pm. Transport facilities are available
