Starting School: What our teachers want you to know
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
August is here and with it, the advent of the new school year. It’s a busy time of year for teachers and parents, with excited anticipation in the air all round. For teachers, it’s like New Year all over again with the promise of newness in the air: new classes, new children to greet, new routines and activities to try.
And with that new start, it’s inevitable that for some little ones, this will be their very first taste of school and parents are quite likely going to face a challenging time for the next few weeks (or months!) of separation, anxiety and worry. We asked our teachers what advice they would give to parents of new children starting school for the first time, to take away those worries you might have. Here’s what they said:
Ammie - It's a process - let your child ease into school life at their own pace. No two children are the same, so try not to compare. Trust your child's teacher - they will always have the children's best interest at heart.
Sharon - Help your child adjust to the school routine the week before school starts, by getting them to bed early, practising taking things out of (or putting in!) their school bag, closing / opening zips, putting on school shoes, putting things in bin, etc. These little self management skills will help their confidence and independence immensely. Make sure the teacher has at least two correct numbers to call you, in case something happens. It won’t happen, but just in case. Check your child’s bag and handbook every day - notices and messages from teachers go home most often in the first few weeks of school. And don’t forget to label EVERYTHING! You don’t want to be buying new sets of clothes, snackboxes and water bottles all the time.
Christine - It is normal for your child to feel a bit scared and uneasy when they first start school. Stepping into a new atmosphere and meeting different people could be intimidating. Let your little one knows that having mixed feelings is normal. Comfort your child and let them know you will pick them up, providing them a sense of security. In addition, it might be helpful to say that you know the teachers. Your child might feel better when they are staying with someone their parents know instead of a stranger. Children can be emotional. Your child might cry a few weeks after school has started when you think your child has settled. Talk to your child and find out what is bothering them and communicate to the teachers. Lastly, praise your child at the end of the day. Talk about what they have done and how well they did it, boosting their confidence.
Chelsy - Communication is always the key! No matter whether it's between your child and yourselves or with the school. Don't hesitate to ask the class teachers any questions about your child, as they could be very different at home and school. And always ask your child about their day at school
Teresa - What parents say and do before dropping off their children can really make a difference to their child. Parents can set their child’s expectations and help them anticipate what’s going to happen in both their day, such as telling children what they are going to do while they are at school before dropping them off, e.g. “School day for Teresa, yoga day for Mama”, as well as letting them know they’ll be back to pick them up at a certain time. When saying goodbye to children at the classroom door, it definitely helps to NOT linger. A brief goodbye and a hug will ensure that children can focus on the day ahead.
Enjoy the morning and if you can, don’t cry until you’re in the car/bus on the way home. Easier said than done! Teachers do all we can to help and we know that nothing will ever replace your love and devotion to your little one – we’re just here to help them on their learning journey. Good luck to all of you starting school!
Is your little one starting school in August? Are you planning to toilet-train them over the summer in preparation for their school start? Read our article: “A step by step guide to toilet-training” to get some valuable tips and tricks on how to make this a smooth and stress-free process!
https://www.mightyoaks.edu.hk/eng/event/a-step-by-step-guide-to-toilet-training
And with that new start, it’s inevitable that for some little ones, this will be their very first taste of school and parents are quite likely going to face a challenging time for the next few weeks (or months!) of separation, anxiety and worry. We asked our teachers what advice they would give to parents of new children starting school for the first time, to take away those worries you might have. Here’s what they said:
Ammie - It's a process - let your child ease into school life at their own pace. No two children are the same, so try not to compare. Trust your child's teacher - they will always have the children's best interest at heart.
Sharon - Help your child adjust to the school routine the week before school starts, by getting them to bed early, practising taking things out of (or putting in!) their school bag, closing / opening zips, putting on school shoes, putting things in bin, etc. These little self management skills will help their confidence and independence immensely. Make sure the teacher has at least two correct numbers to call you, in case something happens. It won’t happen, but just in case. Check your child’s bag and handbook every day - notices and messages from teachers go home most often in the first few weeks of school. And don’t forget to label EVERYTHING! You don’t want to be buying new sets of clothes, snackboxes and water bottles all the time.
Christine - It is normal for your child to feel a bit scared and uneasy when they first start school. Stepping into a new atmosphere and meeting different people could be intimidating. Let your little one knows that having mixed feelings is normal. Comfort your child and let them know you will pick them up, providing them a sense of security. In addition, it might be helpful to say that you know the teachers. Your child might feel better when they are staying with someone their parents know instead of a stranger. Children can be emotional. Your child might cry a few weeks after school has started when you think your child has settled. Talk to your child and find out what is bothering them and communicate to the teachers. Lastly, praise your child at the end of the day. Talk about what they have done and how well they did it, boosting their confidence.
Chelsy - Communication is always the key! No matter whether it's between your child and yourselves or with the school. Don't hesitate to ask the class teachers any questions about your child, as they could be very different at home and school. And always ask your child about their day at school
Teresa - What parents say and do before dropping off their children can really make a difference to their child. Parents can set their child’s expectations and help them anticipate what’s going to happen in both their day, such as telling children what they are going to do while they are at school before dropping them off, e.g. “School day for Teresa, yoga day for Mama”, as well as letting them know they’ll be back to pick them up at a certain time. When saying goodbye to children at the classroom door, it definitely helps to NOT linger. A brief goodbye and a hug will ensure that children can focus on the day ahead.
Enjoy the morning and if you can, don’t cry until you’re in the car/bus on the way home. Easier said than done! Teachers do all we can to help and we know that nothing will ever replace your love and devotion to your little one – we’re just here to help them on their learning journey. Good luck to all of you starting school!
Is your little one starting school in August? Are you planning to toilet-train them over the summer in preparation for their school start? Read our article: “A step by step guide to toilet-training” to get some valuable tips and tricks on how to make this a smooth and stress-free process!
https://www.mightyoaks.edu.hk/eng/event/a-step-by-step-guide-to-toilet-training
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