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The transition can even start before school, Stratyner said. “Before school begins visit the school with your child or attend a school orientation as a family,’’ he said.
Stratyner also offered these tips:
- Your child needs a sense of object permanence - out of sight is sometimes out of mind for them even at that age, and they need to know when the day is over you will be there.
- Having your child select their own school book bag with their favorite character or design and having them choose their school supplies. Letting them choose their “special” first day of school outfit may also ease the anxiety. These activities can aid in the child looking forward to attending their first day of school.
- Parents should treat the first day as a fun family time when they return home from school. A special commemorative “first day” dinner like ordering pizza and having a celebratory ice cream cake or fun dessert is also a good idea to commemorate the day.
- Let your children know you care; if your child can read send personal positive reinforcement notes in the lunch box or book bag.
- Parents should be aware if they themselves are anxious, their children can absorb their parent’s anxiety. Parents must be a model of optimism and confidence for your child. Let your child know that it is natural to be a little nervous anytime you start something new, but that your child will be just fine once he or she becomes familiar with classmates, the teacher, and school routine.
- As a parent, when you take your child to school, try not to linger. Reassure your child that you love them, will thinking of them during the day, and will be back in a few hours to pick them up and take them home.
- Parents can arrange play dates for their child. Try to arrange get-togethers with some of your child’s classmates before school begins and during the first weeks of schools to help your child establish positive social relationships with peers.
- If possible, plan to volunteer in school events at least periodically throughout the year. Doing so helps your child understand that school and family life are linked and that you care about the learning experience.
Dr. Stratyner also has offices in Manhattan and is also a Clinical Associate Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
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