Talk to your child more often and longer than you have talked before. Try to find out how he feels and thinks about starting the first grade. From these conversations you will find out if something is bothering him, and after that you will find a way to dispel that “torment”. Trust yourself, but do not run away from the advice of those people who are professionally engaged in education, upbringing and who provide psychological support to children. Tell your child the story of your departure to the first grade, show him a photo from that period. Your memories of that time, even if they were not pretty, have turned into something perfect in the meantime, so your story will be positive into convincing.
Go with your child to the school you’ve chosen. Find a way for your child to get acquainted with the space (building, yard…) as much as possible before September 1st. If possible, introduce him to the future primary school teacher.
Create a new daily routine for your child even before the school year starts and then stick to that routine. Kids love to be safe and know what to expect.
If your child doesn’t already have the habit of eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast, then try to form that habit before September 1st. Prepare, for a few mornings in a row, an interesting, new breakfast that you will only make a little extra effort about. The child will be pleased with this and the habit will be formed very quickly. Don’t forget that learning takes energy!
If your child does not have good habits when it comes to sleeping and going to bed earlier you must also form this habit before starting the first grade. Children at this age must sleep between 10 and 11 hours every day. To make your child go to bed earlier make his bed more attractive! Add new bedding to him, carefully choose a new pillow, place a lamp with which the child, when he learns to read, will read before bedtime.
If your child has any problem with excessive use of phones and computers, you need to start changing this habit, and a well-organized school will continue to do so! How to start the process:
- reduce personal use of the phone if necessary and be a good example yourself;
- Form a list of rules (e.g. no phone and computer in the bedroom, while having lunch, two hours before bedtime, the daily allowed entertainment on the phone or computer is only 45 minutes, the phone and computer can only be used when some tasks are completed, etc.)
- control the content to which the child is exposed, they must be absolutely appropriate for the age;
- be consistent in following the rules and be prepared to face some consequences if the child does not follow the rules;
- be consistent in following the rules and be prepared to face some consequences if the child does not follow the rules;
- show your child the useful side of phones and computers (educational games, virtual trips…);
- “Occupy” it with other activities.
Remind the child, several times a day, to drink water, wash his hands and regularly go to the toilet. The school day is long and that is why these habits are very important!
Create the conditions for the morning and afternoon routines, the ones for which the family is responsible, to be easily feasible. Let the child have a place (work area, part of the room where the desk stands) where he will be able to study or do homework. Make wardrobe, backpacks, physical equipment, school supplies and textbooks, toys and
They have an exact place in your life. Train your child to take care of his own things. The order in the space in which the child moves will create order in his head.
Get and place, in a place visible to the child, a blackboard, a board or some other type of planner where you and then the child will record the activities and obligations that await him, which at this age, in most cases, will include your engagement. This will make it easier for you to cope with your responsibilities.
Allow the child to choose his own backpack, school supplies, wardrobe and everything else that is necessary to acquire before the start of classes. The future champion will rejoice that you have shown that you believe in his choice.
During the summer, determine the time when you will “play school”. In this term, exercise the child:
- how to tie shoelaces as quickly as possible, fasten a zipper, button and unfasten buttons, pack a pencil case, backpack and the like;
- Sit over an activity for more than 20 minutes (this can be simple drawing or coloring, or it can be some other intellectual requirement, related to the development, above all, of mathematical and language skills (activities can be found on the Internet or in educational manuals intended for children aged 6-7 years;
- to play educational and board games together, as often as possible(lego, puzzles, puzzles, chess, dominoes, don’t get angry, man;
- to know how to introduce himself, to say his name, how old he is, at what address he lives and the phone number of at least one parent;
- He likes to listen when someone reads or tells him a story, and then tries to tell that story, comment or ask.
And finally, round off the whole preparation for the first grade with an unforgettable summer vacation!
