The summer holidays are drawing to a close and it is time to start thinking about new year routines. Many of us will have children starting school, pre-school, or kindergarten for the first time this year. It is often a time of great anxiety for parents and children. Here are some ideas to help those first few days go smoothly: 

1.       Try not to be anxious about it yourself. Children pick up on our anxieties and if they sense that you are reluctant then it is quite likely that they will be too. Talk about the coming experience in a positive way, and if you have some concerns, try not to voice them while your child is around. It is very normal to have these feelings, teachers often say the first day is harder for the parent than the child. However, the more confident you are, the easier it will be for your child.

2.       Be well prepared. Organise clothes and bags the night before so that there are no stressful discussions about what to wear and take in the morning.

3.       Get up a little earlier than everyone else yourself. Have a cuppa, and give yourself some valuable time alone before the morning gets into full swing. Then you will be able to greet your child in a calm, happy way when they wake which will help start the day in a positive way.

4.       Allow plenty of time to get ready and under way. Rushing around causes undue stress and can be very unsettling for all concerned.

5.       Plan simple but nutritious breakfasts like cereal or muffins, milk, and fruit.

6.       Establish a simple routine from day one. Get up, get dressed, have breakfast, brush hair and teeth, quiet play if there is time, put shoes on just before you walk out the door, into the car or start the journey with plenty of time to spare.

7.       Try to put the things you need to take in an easily accessable place but train your children not to get into bags etc before you go. It is always a disaster when you are about to walk out the door and discover that the bag you so carefully packed last night has been used for the adventure game this morning and the contents scattered near and far or up a tree somewhere! Also beware of the younger sibling who may find the packed bags very intriguing. The same applies to shoes. Putting shoes and socks on too early often means they will be off again before you go and it is not much fun searching the house for that missing shoe when you know you should be on your way. Put the bags and shoes together near the door so that they are easy to grab on the way out.   

8.       Make the journey as much fun as possible. Sing songs, play games, or just chat. Help you child feel at ease.

9.       Take time to settle your child on arrival and allow time to say goodbye properly.

10.   Try to set up a goodbye routine from day one as well. Put the bag away, big kiss and hug for mum, then off you go. Try not to hesitate when you leave. Be confident and happy which will help your child to be the same.

Starting something new can always be unsettling. With a bit of planning and thought you can pave the way for a positive experience for all concerned. And remember, you are not alone in this endeavour so talk to your friends and family about it if you need to. Children are incredibly adaptable and usually look forward to moving on to new things in their lives. With gentle but firm guidance we can help them through these events with confidence and ease.

by:  Robyn Antonelli   quolkids.com