Nervous About Beginning First Grade: Transition Tips

A Mommybites reader asked:

My first grader is nervous about school. What are some tips I can use to help soothe this transition?

Starting the first grade school year off right is so important when building the foundation of a successful school year. There are many great tips to ease the back-to-school transition, but my favorite tips come from Mommybites expert, Dana Rosenbloom, who did a wonderful teleclass for Mommybites on this very subject! These tips are great not just for 1st graders, but for ALL children starting school.

Tips for Preparing Your Child for School

• Start a conversation with your child about beginning school. Mention any familiar faces they may see. Ask them what toys they think they might play with at school (or with older kids, what activities they may do during the day).  Remind them that grownups always come back! If your child’s anxiety level seems to rise during the conversation, end it. You can always bring it up again. Know your child. Some children do better with less preparation, others with more.

• On the first day of school have one parent drop your child off. Having to say goodbye to two parents can be far more difficult. Also, try to make arrangements for any siblings so that they are not present for separation. Again, watching a parent leave with a sibling can make separation harder for some children.

• When bringing your child to school the first day make sure they are walking once they get inside the building. They can absolutely hold your hand as you walk in. Walking on their own begins the process of helping your child become more independent.

• Remember that beginning school is a process. There is no time table. Your child will have days where he or she will run into the room without issue and there will be days where saying goodbye is more difficult.

To read more of Dana’s tips or listen to her teleclass on Starting the School Year Off Right, please visit here.

In addition to the tips above, a few great books to read to your children before the first day of school are as follows:

First Day Jitters

The Night Before First Grade

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Expert: Dana Rosenbloom

Dana Rosenbloom has a master’s degree in Infant and Parent Development and Early Intervention and has been working with children and families for over 10 years. Dana’s Kids provides parent education, play and behavior therapy, special education services, parent workshops and support groups, and professional development. To learn more about Dana and Dana’s Kids please visit www.DanasKids.com.