How to beat first day nerves:
- Practise routines a week before school starts. Get lunches ready the night before if possible and check bags for notes and health information.
- Make sure children get a good night’s sleep.
Minimise anxiety by showing children their classroom and where the toilets are. - Establish a relationship with other parents and teachers. Make an appointment to discuss your child’s progress if necessary.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to your child about issues that are affecting them.
- Keep a positive attitude about your child’s learning.
- Volunteer to help with reading, school-based committees and other activities.
- Organise play dates to help children make new friends.
- Make sure other family members are involved, especially Dad or other male figures in their lives, in wishing the child well on their first day.
- Be there early if you are picking them up — children can become upset if they are the last to be picked up.
- Pack fresh fruit, vegies and protein in their lunch boxes.
- Check them for head lice at the end of the school week and remind them about hand washing.
- Make sure they have good footwear that fits and sturdy bags for their books.
