Almost 80% of kids would have a fear on the first day of the school. There could be several reasons. Here we have discussed some of those issues and how to prepare our kids to face those smartly.
- It is obvious that, after a long vacation, kids would not want to be away from home for so long. While dropping them to school, If we try to explain them, “I will be back after 2 hours” or “after 3 hours” they would not understand. Instead explain them “you can see me just when you finish your music class”. (If the teacher has told music class is the end of day activity).
- He might be scared to go all by himself by school bus or any school cab. If this is the case, then take him on a quick public bus trip. Explain him how he should find his seat and how he should get down at he stop taking help from the school guide. Discuss with the child how the school bus will be different from the public bus.
- He might be scared of the teacher and the classroom rules. Explain him teacher is there to help him learn. Remind him that teacher’s classroom rules are probably the same as the ones at home – like no interrupting when other person is talking and talk softly while talking to others. If he is scared of the teacher, then set a time to visit the classroom and meet the teacher, try introducing the child to teacher before school starts.
- He might be scared of the big school building, thinking he might get lost. Find out if you can visit the school few days before the child’s first day. Check out some fun areas like play room or art room so that he would get excited to go to school. Walk on some common routes which the child would be using later. Go for a trial walk through the school premise and the corridor to the place familiar to him. Do a role play at home to show how to find way if he gets lost in the school. Explain him how he should introduce himself and take help from any teacher around and another student to find the classroom. Also point out that he should never go alone to any place. He should always get accompanied by his buddy.
- He might be thinking that school is only to study and no fun at all. Ask teacher about the time table and get a good picture of how much time the child will be spending on subjects like reading, language and how much time he will spend on less structured activities like free play, drawing. Reassure your child that he will get to do all those fun things by taking her through the schedule. Frame a schedule in a positive way by saying “you will get to have long drawing classes and you will still have some time to go and play outdoor”. Also let him know he will also get to time to play after school hours like any other day. Like with his neighbors in the park, reading a story book with Mom before bed, playing a pillow game with his Dad.
- Make school sound fun. Explain him it is only 3 hours of special time where he will get to learn new things and play with all his friends. Give your child a big hug and kisses while dropping him to school. Reassure him telling, even if you leave him now, you will come back to pick him up. Just pack the little one his favorite comfort food to lunch box.










