The first day of school can induce various emotions for children ranging from nervousness, to fear, to anxiety. Children who are accustomed to spending all day, every day with their parents may be concerned with how much their lives will change when they have to spend their days away from home and everything that they are familiar and comfortable with. Children, particularly younger children, can often have difficulty expressing these fears or anxiety to their parents. Parents, however, should be sensitive to the needs of their children during this time of change.

If you want to help your children on their first day of school, consider the following suggestions.

PLANT THE SEED.
Months before your child has to start school, consider planting the seed for them. Tell them stories about when you were in school. Let them know how much fun it will be to learn in a classroom environment, to see their friends every day, and to take field trips. Make school sound fun and exciting and when the time comes, your child is much more likely to WANT to go to school rather than be afraid of being separated from you.

TALK.
As the time for your child to start school approaches, sit them down and talk to them about what is going to happen. Let them know that they get to go to school now that they are "bigger." Also let them know what you will be doing all day. Reassure them that you will be there to pick them up when school gets out, or that you will be together after school and work are over. Children feel more comfortable when they know what is going on. Once they get into the habit of the routine, things are likely to be much easier. But, if you let your children know what is going to happen before it occurs, they are less likely to panic during the events.

You can even go through what if scenarios with your children to make them feel more comfortable. Children are less capable than adults of expressing their concerns, doubts, or fears. Anticipate these fears and doubts and come up with scenarios that you have solutions. For example, your child might be afraid that you will forget to pick them up and that they will have to stay at school forever. This may be an exaggerated concern, but children sometimes fear outlandish situations. Let them know that you will not forget because you will set four alarm clocks. If your schedule allows for it, let them know that you will do the best you can to be there early to pick them up so that they don't have to wait.

REWARD THEM.
Do not make the mistake of giving children an out. Some parents let their children come home immediately if they have an issue on the first day of school. Let your child know that if they stick it out through the day, they will be rewarded when they get done. Give them a special dinner, treat them to ice cream, or come up with some other reward that will emphasize how important and fun it can be to complete a day at school!

Overall, different children will respond to their first days of school in different ways. Nevertheless, these are some good ways to help ease them into the transition of going to school and spending their days away from you.

Learn more about this author, Krystle Hernandez.
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