PREPARING
FOR SCHOOL
Plan your part of the adjustment process. It can be
just as heartbreaking for you, as your child, when
you separate. Are you emotionally prepared? How is
your child to going to react to the separation?
Touch
base with the Director or teachers before the actual
enrollment date. Do a trial run and spend half an
hour at the school, a few days before the official
start date. Make contingency plans for work or other
activities that you have planned if things become
difficult on the first day or first few days. How
will you handle this situation? Think about what foods
to prepare and how it should be packaged. Talk to
other parents for useful hints.
Have you completed all documentation for your child?
Physicians Reports, vaccination cards, emergency contact
information and other forms must be completed. The
school will not admit your child if all paper work
is not completed. You could be in for a big disappointment
if you turn up without having completed all your paperwork.
Review all documentation with the admissions administrator
before the start date.
Get
your child involved in laying out his or her clothing
for the school day. Pack a favorite toy or pacifier
that might give your child some comfort. Take a picture
of the family to hang in the child's cubby at school.
A picture can give great comfort to a child.
The
Drive To School & Work |
How
long does it take, to drive your child to school?
Have you made adjustments for traffic and parking
at that time? If you are working, how long does it
take to get to work from the school? How long does
it take you, to get to the school and pick up your
child?
Children
may scream, cry or cling when you drop them off at
preschool. This separation anxiety, which is quite
normal, can in some cases create an extremely difficult
situation for you, not to mention embarrassment. Don't
be scared of this.
Do
a trial run at the school, even for a few minutes.
Keep calm. Don't panic. It is a natural part of your
child's development and in time they will get used
to it.
Another
method is to practice saying good-bye. Get one of
you relatives to look after your child. This trial
separation will teach your child the concept of separation
from you. Play a game of hide and seek. Subconsciously
this helps your child grasp the concept of leaving
and coming back.
Introduction
To Teachers & Friends |
If
your child is introduced to the teacher or Director
of the school before the actual start date, it will
give the child a familiar face to identify with. If
you know one of the children at school, arrange a
play date, so that your child can see and take comfort
in a familiar face.
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