The first day of school for any child can be nerve wracking. When I was growing up, we moved every year so every year I had to start at a new school. It was difficult for me to make new friends, but I survived and grew as a student. I will provide a few pointers for parents with a child starting school for the first time.

The first step is to ensure your child that you love them very much and that you will be there for them. Try to make a big deal about how much fun they will have meeting new friends and teachers. You must play it up so much that they can not wait to go the next day. Make sure they know you are proud of them. This is the most important suggestion I have. Children need to know that their parents will always be there for them.

The next step is to take a tour of the school. Taking a tour will allow your child to feel comfortable when they walk into school that first day. They will not be lost, especially if you can show them where their classroom will be. My parents never did that for me and every year I was completely lost and did not know which hallway I was supposed to go down. I feel like an idiot and that feeling stayed with me for years. This is very scary for a seven year old or at any age for that matter.

I also encourage trying to meet the neighbors. Your child may take a bus and if they know other children, the bus ride will not be scary. The same is true for walkers. Your child can walk to school with other children promoting a friendly and relaxing environment.

Another idea is to allow your child to pick out what they want to wear to school, what kind of backpack they will bring, and what type of school supplies they will have. If the child has a major role in this decision, they will feel at ease with what they have on, and that is one less worry they will have.

Starting a new school is a scary time, but it can also be a rewarding time as well. We as parents need to ensure that our children feel good about themselves and the idea of going to school.

One more suggestion would be to talk to the building principal. Tell them your child's concerns and fear. The principal will go out of their way to make sure your child enjoys coming to school. Your child will know that if they get scared, they have someone to talk to during the day.

School needs to be a safe, secure, fun, and loving environment. We as parents need to ensure that the first day is special, which in turn will reflect upon the child and they will want to go to school every day.

Learn more about this author, Cynthia Sherman.
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