Settling into school

I still remember vividly my son’s first day at ‘big school’. The weeks before were characterised by heightened anxiety (mine!), but when the big day finally arrived, he launched himself into the classroom and didn’t look back.  In the UK children will be only five years old when they start formal education, which is still very young. So our job as parents is to make sure that they can cope. Firstly, don’t project your own experiences of primary school education, good or bad, on to your own children. Obviously they don’t need to know if you hated every single day of your own school, but neither do they need to know that you adored it – let your child make their own mind up.

It’s highly likely that the experience will be a mixture of positive and negative.  Secondly, make sure that they know how to look after themselves, how to tell a teacher if something’s wrong, and how to go to the toilet on their own.
Other tips might seem obviously, but it’s extraordinary how often I’ve seen them neglected. Making sure your child has a good night’s sleep is absolutely crucial. Trying to concentrate in a hot, noisy classroom is all but impossible if you’re tired, and children need a lot more sleep than we might imagine – at least 10 hours. In my experience the best way to get this important sleep is to establish a nightly bedtime routine, making sure you get them into bed about half an hour before you actually want them to sleep. Visits to the loo and extra cuddles will make up the extra time, and you don’t want to make them feel rushed.
When you think your child is settling in, gently encourage them to make friendships, as this will help them feel even more at home. Invite a friend round to play after school, and return invitations are usually forthcoming.
Finally, make sure that you collect them on time. A five-year old still needs reassurance that you are going to return when you say you will. There is nothing worse than being the last in the class and wondering where your Mummy is.