by Bernadette Jasmin

Created on: January 28, 2005   Last Updated: November 08, 2011

Preparing your child for the first day of school can be almost as trying on the parent as it is on a child. Yet there are things that a parent can do to minimize the trauma of the first day of school.

It is important that your child has exposure to other children. If you child as other siblings that have gone to school it's a good idea to take them along as you register one child. It is less fearful for the next child if he/she can have a chance to see the process at work. Another thing that you can do is with your schools permission have special visits with your child to the school so that it is not totally unfamiliar on the first day.

Another step you can take is find out if there are other children in your neighborhood that are going to school also, let your child get to know them. Most likely they will be riding the bus with your child and possibly be in the same class. Having a friend on the first day does make a difference.

Make the event exciting for the child. Something to prepare and enjoy not something to fear. Finally, you know your child best! Prepare, but don't push too much this may create anxiety. Make the process as calm as possible by giving your child time to get use to the idea. Remember, no matter how much preparation there may still be some surprises it depends on your child's personality. For example, my firstborn charged out the door and never looked back to this day. My second was very capricious and he struggled to get back in the house. Finally I had to drive him to school.

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