Many children experience a mixture of excitement and anxiety as the summer vacation draws to a close. Whether your child is returning to a new grade or is starting school for the first time, the “first-day-of-school jitters” are a very real thing. As parents, you are crucial in transforming those anxious butterflies into a burst of joy.
This is particularly true for families who are thinking about making a change and may be considering prestigious establishments like India’s top schools or even its top boarding schools. It can be even more nerve-racking to make the switch. For parents whose kids are enrolled in neighborhood schools in Dehradun, such as our own The Asian School Dehradun, we understand how crucial it is to set them up for success.
Here are some easy and useful first-day-of-school tips for parents to help your child feel prepared and confident.
Know the Tips to Help Kids
1. Talk About It (Early and Often)
Don’t put off discussing school until the evening before. Have the discussion a week or two beforehand.
- Pay attention to how they feel – Find out their thoughts on returning to school. Recognize their concerns. Saying “It’s normal to feel a little nervous” can help them feel less alone and more understood.
- Pay attention to the good – Talk about all the enjoyable activities they will engage in. Talk about playing new games, learning new subjects, meeting new teachers, and seeing their friends. Talk about the new friends they’ll make and the fun things they’ll get to try if they’re going to a new school, such as one of the best boarding schools in India.
- Tell your personal tales – Share a positive or humorous story about your own school days with them. This demonstrates to them that school is a place where wonderful memories can be made.
2. Get Back into a Routine
Children thrive on routine. Their sleep and meal schedules may be disrupted by the lazy summer days, making the first day even more difficult.
- Establish a sleep schedule – A week or two prior to the start of classes, progressively modify their bedtime and wake-up time to correspond with the academic calendar. A child who gets enough sleep is more self-assured.
- Follow the morning routine – Prepare for the school morning by holding a “dress rehearsal.” They practice getting up, dressing, packing their bag, and eating breakfast. As a result, the actual day feels less stressful and more familiar.
- Bring a nutritious lunch – Encourage your child to pack their own lunch. They feel in control and look forward to a meal they selected because of this.
3. Visit the School (If Possible)
One of the best ways to lower anxiety is through familiarity.
- Take a tour – A pre-visit can be very beneficial if your child is new to the school. Orientation days for new students are held by numerous schools in Dehradun and throughout the nation. Without the stress of a full school day, your child can see their classroom, interact with the teacher, and explore the hallways.
- Explore the campus – A pre-visit to the campus can make students who are attending the best boarding schools in India feel more at home. Point out the locations of the dining hall, sports facilities, and dorms.
- Play in the playground – A trip to the school playground can evoke pleasant memories and generate enthusiasm for the upcoming school year, even for returning students.
4. Organize and Personalize Their School Supplies
A child always gets excited when they get new school supplies and a new bag. Take advantage of this.
- Go shopping together – When you go shopping with your child, let them select their own stationery, lunchbox, and backpack. They become engaged and enthusiastic about their new endeavors as a result.
- Label everything – Give everything its name. This gives them a sense of ownership over their possessions in addition to keeping things from getting lost.
- Pack the bag together – Assemble their bag the evening before. To help them feel organized and prepared, cross items off the list of things to bring.
5. Plan a Special First Day
Instead of making the first day a chore, make it a celebration.
- Special breakfast – Make their favorite breakfast a special breakfast. An enjoyable and less hurried morning can be achieved with a special meal.
- First-day photos – Capture them holding their backpack. This is a wonderful custom and an enjoyable way to record the occasion.
- A loving goodbye – A heartfelt farewell should be brief, straightforward, and upbeat. They may become more nervous after a drawn-out, emotional farewell. All they need is a big hug, a smile, and a happy “Have a great day, I love you!”
For Boarding School Parents
While the feelings of parents who send their children to one of the best boarding schools in India, such as The Asian School Dehradun, differ, the objective remains the same.
1. Keep in touch, but not too much – A planned video call once or twice a week is preferable to a never-ending barrage of messages. They have more room to form friendships and gain independence as a result.
2. Deliver a care package – They can feel loved and remembered with a new book, a letter from home, or a small package containing their favorite snacks.
3. Have faith in the school – Keep in mind that institutions such as The Asian School Dehradun have knowledgeable faculty and a well-thought-out system to assist new students in acclimating. You can rely on them to look after your child.
For every child, the first day of school marks a significant turning point. Parents can help their children transform their nervousness into excitement with a little planning and a lot of love. You can prepare them for a successful and joyful school year by having a conversation with them about their emotions, creating a routine, and making the day feel special.
Your assistance is your child’s most valuable resource, regardless of whether they are starting at one of the best schools in Dehradun or going to one of the top boarding schools in India. Now, go make that first day a memorable one with these tips for parents on the first day of school!
📖 Also read: How to Select the Best School Curriculum for Your Child
