1. Get back onto schedule. A week or so before school starts, get back to their normal bedtime and wakeup schedule. This will help to get their body ready for waking up earlier so that they are not tired when school starts.
2. Practice the morning routine. A few times before school starts, practice the morning routine. Get up in the morning and act like your child is going to school that day—getting dressed, getting their backpack, etc. This will help them to know what they will need to do before school and will also tell you whether you have planned enough time in the mornings.
3. Make plans for after school. Make a plan regarding what your child will do after school. Review this with your child, several times if needed, and even do a “dress rehearsal,” especially if they are going to be walking or if they need to be able to get somewhere independently.
4. Start in good health. Be sure that your child’s checkups are up-to-date—medical, dental, and eye exams.
5. Read books about going to school. For younger children, reading books about going to school and the first day of school can be helpful. There should be plenty to check out at the library.
6. Assist them in being as prepared as possible. For older children who have lockers and switch classrooms, help them to write down a schedule and maybe even get a map of the school so that they have all of the information they need to make their way through the day. Even for some younger children, it can help to have a written schedule that they can understand, in order for them to know what comes next in the day.
7. Visit their new classroom. Your child can meet the teacher, see what the classroom looks like, etc. This will help to reduce some nervousness on the first day of school.
8. Arrange for your child to get together with classmates. Schedule play dates for your child and some classmates so that they have friendly faces when they go to school. This will also give them something to look forward to.
9. Talk about your child’s feelings. Whether they are just starting school, going to a different school, or just going to a new classroom, many children feel nervous because of the unknown. Your child may not feel nervous at all! Talk about how they are feeling about school starting and normalize these feelings. Just talking about it can help.
10. Clear your schedule. Try to be home after school for the first few days or week so that your child has down time when they get home. It will also be a good time when they can talk about their day. If you can’t do this, try to minimize your evening responsibilities at first, so that you can still have some extra time with your child.
Other notes…
Separation anxiety and fear can be normal for young children when starting school. Usually it will last for a short time, maybe a few days or a week. If your child’s fear or anxiety seems extreme or lasts longer than you would expect, talk to their teacher and the school counselor or social worker. They will be able to give you ideas on how to help your child.
