First Day Fears
The first day of kindergarten can be a scary time for some kids (and
some moms and dads too). Starting school is something that kids have
probably been thinking about all summer. Now, they walk in to a new room
with all these new kids, and new grownups, and new “stuff” and maybe Mom
looks a little teary-eyed that her “baby” is growing up so fast... well it’s
no wonder some kids suddenly cling to parents and cry! Here are a few tips
for getting through those first few days.
· Try to act confident yourself. If you seem anxious and unsure
about leaving your child at school, children pick up on that and start
wondering if there really is something to worry about!
· If possible, plan on staying for 5 or 10 minutes the first day
getting your child settled. A longer or shorter amount of time may make
separation harder.
· When it is time for you to leave, make sure you say goodbye.
Trying to “sneak out” when the child is busy and not looking, sometimes
makes kids panic a few minutes later, and may make separation even more
difficult the next day.
· Separation problems sometimes show up on the second or third day,
just when you think you’re getting off easy! It is also common for children
to have problems when there are major changes in the home. Let me know if
there is anything happening at your house that you think is important for us
to know.
· Please remember that I really do understand how hard this can be.
I know that you are entrusting me with a very precious gift, and I feel very
honored that I will be your child’s first teacher.
· If your child is having an especially hard time, I will give you a
call at home or work.
I’m looking forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
Lois Powers
