How to Emotionally Prepare Your Child for the First Day of School

As much of the nation goes back to school tomorrow (which is the day after Labor Day here in the US,) the first day of school is a significant milestone in a child's life. It marks the beginning of new experiences, friendships, and learning opportunities. However, it can also be a source of anxiety for both children and parents. 

Every year on the morning of the first day of school, I’d find my son asleep on either my bedroom rug or at the foot of my bed. That’s usually how I knew he was feeling anxiety about the start of the school year.

As parents, our role in emotionally preparing our kids for this big day is crucial. Here’s some tips that may help you ease the transition and make the first day of school a positive experience.

1. Talk About What to Expect

Start by having open conversations about school weeks before the first day. Explain what a typical school day looks like, from the morning routine to classroom activities, lunchtime, and pickup. Discussing the new environment, the teacher, and classmates can help demystify the unknown and reduce anxiety.

• Tip: Use books and videos about starting school to illustrate what to expect. This can make the idea of school more tangible and less intimidating.

2. Acknowledge Their Feelings

It’s normal for children to have mixed emotions about starting school. Some may be excited, while others might feel scared or anxious. Validate their feelings by listening and showing empathy. Let them know that it’s okay to feel nervous and that many kids feel the same way.

• Tip: Share your own experiences of starting something new, whether it was a new job or a new hobby, to show that feeling nervous is a natural part of life.

3. Practice the Routine

In the weeks leading up to the first day, practice the school routine at home. This includes waking up at the same time, getting dressed, having breakfast, and packing a school bag. Familiarizing your child with the morning routine will make the actual day feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

• Tip: If possible, visit the school beforehand so your child can see where they’ll be going. Knowing the layout of the school can help reduce first-day jitters.

4. Focus on the Positive Aspects

Help your child focus on the exciting aspects of starting school. Talk about the fun activities they’ll do, the new friends they’ll make, and the things they’ll learn. Highlighting the positives can shift their mindset from fear to excitement.

• Tip: Create a countdown calendar to build anticipation and excitement for the first day. Each day, mark off the day so your child knows how many days are left before the day school starts. As you mark it off, have your child state something they’re looking forward to doing/seeing/experiencing at school. Make it a different thing each day.

Preparing your child emotionally to start the new school year can make all the difference in reducing anxiety and having a great experience on that first day. 

Here’s to a new, awesome school year for everyone!