Most kids are so excited at the thought of starting school and "officially" being a "big kid" and my daughter is one of them. Like most parents and their children, we have had many conversations about riding the bus, making new friends, dealing with hurt feelings, getting homework done and everything else that may come with school. She is always excited at the thought of starting school but now that the time is coming closer and we are doing her school registration I can see her nervousness shining through. Kindergarten can be a scary thing for kids but there is a lot you can do to help them with the transition.

 

 

Talk with your soon-to-be kindergartner about what is on their mind when it comes to starting school. Get them asking questions and ask them about their fears. For example, my daughter is always very friendly and doesn't really have a problem with making friends but when I sat down with her she told me that she was scared that none of the kids would like her. This led into a much bigger discussion about bullies, hurt feelings and how to deal with them appropriately and that it's okay if someone doesn't want to be friends; it happens and will happen just like there will be kids that she won't want to be friends with.

 

 

Schools themselves know that starting kindergarten can be a scary thing for your child. To help parents and their children new to the school most have a "Kindergarten Round-Up." It gives parents and their children an opportunity to go in and see the school, take a tour, meet their teachers, see where their classroom will be and get a good feel of what they have to look forward to. Taking the fear of the unknown out of the process with mom and dad at their side really does help minimize the first day fears. While they are there, encourage your child to talk with their teacher and ask questions about what they will get to do in class. Ask questions yourself such as if you will be responsible for a snack day, how they discipline and let the teacher know about any issues your child may have and ask how they will deal with it.

 

 

When it's getting closer to the first day of school and it's time to go shopping for supplies, take your kindergartner with you. The more they are involved with the process the more excited they'll be about it. Each item that you have them put in the cart, explain to them what it is for and how they will get to use it. If there is a variety in products to chose from like backpacks and pencil cases, let them pick out their favorite out of the bunch. You can do the same thing when you go shopping for school clothes. My daughter feels like such a big girl when she gets to pick her new clothes out and it gives her the opportunity to exercise her growing independence.

 

 

Encourage your child and always reassure them that they can come and talk to you anytime. Let them know that it's okay to be scared and a little nervous but also that it will get easier after the first day. Stay involved in school activities and take opportunities to ask questions yourself, especially if this is the first time you have had to send a child to kindergarten. It's your first day too and your fears and nerves need to be calmed as well.