Big school - CareforKids.com.au®

Transition to big school… are you ready?

Most parents with children starting big school in 2015 will probably have already been to one or two orientation days, so their little ones get accustomed to the idea of being a very small fish in a very big pond.

Parents who have already been through the process with older children know that for most kids, adapting to big school is a walk, (Don't run) In the playground and it's actually often harder for the mums to get to grips with than it is for the kids.

If you haven't shed a few tears already, you soon will. Even the hardest of us can't help a little sniffle when we see those gorgeous little things lined up in their oversized uniforms, in their big hats and carrying ridiculously sized back packs on their backs. You will feel so much better if you are prepared and know that both you and your child are ready for the transition to the next phase.

The main thing to remember is that small children are creatures of habit, ruled by routine and the familiar and they need to feel organized in order to feel safe and secure.

Schools are very good at making the first year structured for the children and they do really take care of them. They are great at providing routine, processes and if they're lucky, buddies that give the children a sense of being looked after, but they do instill in the children the need to be accountable for themselves as far as possible and to give them a sense of responsibility. However for the most successful transition it's a good idea to get them as used to their future environment as possible.

Some of the best tips for getting them ready for school are as follows:

Routine

Get them into a school routine now in terms of breakfast, snack and lunchtime and even give them their daily recess snacks and lunch in their own lunchbox, as they would have at school.

No matter what your day entails, make sure they're up ready and dressed by the time they would have to be leaving for school, this will help with the inevitable rush on school mornings.

Get them used to afternoon routines of a bit of reading, dinner and make sure you've set their bedtime so they get enough sleep in. They are going to be shattered throughout the first term of school and the more sleep they get, the better.

Dummy trips to school

Many children may already be used to school drop off and pick up with their older siblings and be quite familiar with the school environment, but if not, take them to their new school on school days so they can see what happens and so you can also see what happens. They will be reassured when they can see the Kindy kids lined up and waiting with their teacher to be led into class or until their mum has claimed them in the afternoon.

Dress rehearsal

Try to get their uniform early, so they can get excited about trying it on well before they need to wear it and they feel they're ready to go on the big day

Talk to them

Make sure you talk to them about school and that you read the information you're given, so you also know the routine, including simple things like what time is recess and lunch; where the toilets, the office and their classrooms are and that you always take a friend with you to the loo.

Get to know the other kids/parents

If you know other parents with children starting school, organize some play dates over the holidays. If not, parents attending orientation days are often keen to organize play dates or outings to the local park, so that the New Year's intake gets familiar with each other.

These outings are generally not organized by the school but by the parents, so be prepared to put your hand up and offer to organize something. These days can be really beneficial as well to get to know your own potential new friends and exchange contact details for things like emergency pick ups and after school play dates.

Get organised

There's nothing more stressful for a child than an out of control or disorganized parent for the first few weeks of school. So make sure you've organized yourself early, you know which of you is dropping off, what time you need to leave and that you have done everything you need to do in terms of registration, forms, uniform and after school hours child care.

Also make sure you read all the school information that comes to you in the form of emails or notes in their backpacks at the end of each day. Gold Coin days and Mufti Days, excursions or school visits happen a lot and children get really stressed if they get to school and they're the only one without a gold coin donation or are the only ones not wearing Orange.

Early start & late finish

For the first term schools often have late start and early pick up for the new Kindergarten Students, so you may not be dropping off until 9.30 and you will be picking up at 2.30. Make sure you've re-organised any work, chores or social commitments with these new times in mind or enquire about before and after school care in your area. It's amazing how short the day suddenly is and you get nothing done, but it soon settles down.

You & motherguilt

Apart from the emotional trauma of your child going to school, this time can also herald even more stress on working parents in terms of dealing with short school days as well as the worry that their child may not be quite ready. Are you throwing them into a situation they're not ready for so you can get back to work, regain your sanity, your social life or time to do the chores and go to the toilet without an entourage?

This is all part of Mother guilt. Everyone goes through it. It may all seem daunting, but it will quickly pass when you see just how much your little one loves his or her new school. The more you get involved too, the more you and your child will enjoy the ride.

Good luck for 2015. You and they will be just fine.