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Outlook > 2009 > July
Help your children to settle
STARTING
school for the first time or beginning a new school is a big step in
your child's life and for your family. This checklist covers some of
the important things to remember to help the first days run smoothly.
Although many things on the list will apply equally in other countries
such as the UK, there are a few important differences.
In your child's school bag
- Sunhat and sunblock (or you can apply sunblock at home before they leave).
- A sweatshirt in case it gets cold.
- Lunch and a water bottle. Get your child to help you
pack their lunchbox. Talk about what is for morning tea and what is for
lunch.
- Any pencils, exercise books etc. the school has asked
your child to bring. Some schools provide a list before school starts,
others don't give it out until the first week.
- A change of clothes. This can be reassuring for a child starting school for the first time, in case of any toilet accidents.
- A bus ticket or loaded fare card if your child is catching a bus.
- Their name on everything particularly hats, shoes and
sweatshirts. Show your child where to look for their name on their
clothes.
In your bag
If you are enrolling your child at school for the first time it is useful to take:
- a copy of their birth certificate or passport as proof of age
- a copy of their immunisation certificate (in the back of your Well Child book or ask your family doctor for a copy)
- medical information including your doctor's contact details
- any legal documents eg, custody or access agreements the school should know about
- contact details - your family phone numbers and
address and someone the school can call in an emergency if they can't
get hold of you.
In the morning before you leave
- Choose clothes and shoes that are easy for your child to manage by themselves.
- Breakfast! The human brain needs fuel to learn.
Brainstorm with your child what they might like for breakfast - a
cheese sandwich is just as healthy as toast and can be eaten on the run.
- Try and allow plenty of time for getting to school.
On the way chat about what they think their day will be like and what
they want to do when they get home.
- Don't forget the camera!
When you get to school
- Say hello to the teacher with your child.
- Does the teacher need to know about after school arrangements because you won't be the person picking your child up?
- Show or remind your child where the toilets are and
any other place it is important to know about, such as where they will
be collected at the end of the day.
- It helps children to feel they belong if they know
other children. Make a point of stopping to chat with children and
parents you know as you arrive. If you are new to the area be brave and
introduce yourself and your child to others who might be in the same
class.
- When the time comes, make goodbyes short. Teachers
have a lot of practise helping children to settle in and managing an
upset child.
After school
- If you pick up your child ask the teacher how their day went.
- Expect your child to be very tired the first few
weeks. Make time when you get home to just hang out. They might need to
run around outside, or just collapse in front of the TV. They will
probably be very hungry too.
- Let them adjust to being at home before asking too
much about their day. It is a lot easier to get children of any age to
talk about school when they are doing something else with you - helping
to make dinner, tidying up, or drying the dishes.
- Have a space where school paper goes - newsletters,
permission slips, parent help requests etc. The space should be close
to a calendar so you can write in important dates.
- Make a time to read together. Some schools will send
home a reading book to share on the first day - others may not. But get
in the habit of having some shared reading every day right from the
start.
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