Calming First Day Jitters

The kindergarten countdown is on!  Your kindergartner's countdown chain is growing smaller, and so is my to-do list - it's almost time to welcome in a new batch of recruits.  Here are some ideas to calm first day jitters.

• Take a low-key approach.  It’s natural to be excited about your child starting kindergarten, but talking about it too much can actually make him more anxious. 
• Compare Kindergarten to something familiar such as preschool or TK.  Explain that kindergarten will be a place where he will make friends, play with new toys, and learn.
• Get familiar with the school.  Attend your child’s PLP Conference together, bring your student to Orientation, come to our Ice Cream Social. 
• Put a family photo in your child’s backpack.  If necessary your student may bring a small stuffed animal or comfort item to keep in the backpack for the first few days of school.
• Create an easy-to-follow morning routine.  Establish a regular early bedtime, and leave plenty of time in the morning for a healthy breakfast. 
• Try not to outwardly show your own anxiety.  Model confidence and excitement for your student.  
• Don’t stay too long.  Reassure your child that you will be back and say a quick goodbye, lingering will only make it more difficult for your child to see you go.  As wrenching as it may be for you to walk away while your child is sad or crying, chances are that she will be happily playing soon after you are out of sight.  We love to love on your children – kindergarten staff will help them through it!
• Identify his anxiety.  What exactly is he afraid of?  Once you establish what his specific fears are you will be better able to address his concerns and work with your child and ACS staff to find ways to handle them.

Ideas adapted from: 
          Lee, Katherine.  "Calming First Day Kindergarten Anxiety."  About Parenting.  Web. 13 
          August 2014.  http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/first_day_kindergarten_anxiety.htm

See you soon,