Living in Botswana our kids have been home for the holidays for almost six weeks. As parents we can’t wait to send our kids back to school and tell the teachers “Tag! You’re it!”
But how can we prepare our kids for the first day and even first few weeks back at school? They’ll have a new classroom, will need to make new friends and have to get to know a new teacher. We need to prepare them to have the most positive start possible.
Here are some tips on how to do just that.
Mum Wanja with her son after his first day at school.
Activate Routines
First things first, get your children back into a routine. After late nights and sleeping in in the mornings, the last thing you want is for your child to be rushed, stressed or half asleep on their first day at school.
Start now to get your child to bed at a decent hour and start waking them up earlier. In the mornings, gradually get them back into the habit of “up-shower-brush teeth – get dressed – have breakfast”. Whatever you want your routine to be – have a game plan, and stick to it.
Here’s how much sleep your child should be getting per night according to their age in order to perform best the following day: https://www.sleep.org/articles/how-much-sleep-children/
Read Daily!
Avoid last minute drilling and going through last years books to ‘get a head-start’. Just read! Read to your child, read together, let your child read independently. Remember, it doesn’t matter what they read, the point is to get them to concentrate and focus on one task for at least 10-15 minutes.
Set up a little book nook or reading corner somewhere in the house or in your child’s room. Somewhere for them to escape, away from distractions. Use copious amounts of over-sized cushions, making the area inviting for them to skulk around and read, even it is upside down.
Kids Teepees Botswana supplies beautiful play tents that can be used inside to create cozy reading nooks, or outside to protect children from the sun as kids have fun.
Work Their Mindset
Motivate, encourage, be excited! Talk to your children about how exciting their new adventure is going to be. Yes, it might be scary and challenging at times dealing with a new environment, new classroom rules and possibly new faces, but oh, the things they’re going to experience and discover…
Encourage them to make a new friend. Plan ideas for play dates to encourage the forming of new friendships. Write the ideas down and keep them in a jar that your child can keep in their room as a visual reminder.
According to one busy working mom, she’s been getting her son excited for Reception by talking to him about his big-boy uniform. Trying it on and taking photos; choosing his swimming towel for swimming days and together deciding on his favourite healthy snacks for break-time. “We have these conversations while he’s in the bath, having dinner or getting dressed” – delightful mom of 2.
Retail Therapy
It works for us, so it might just work for them too. Go on a shopping trip with your child so they can have some ownership in the choosing of their school supplies. As an aunt of 6, I know this is probably the last thing you want to do. However, just be smart about it.
Before the ‘trip’ create a shopping list together. Then in the actual store, let your child be in charge of the list, letting them cross off each item as you put it in the basket. This way, once everything is crossed off the list, tadah…we’re done! On a side note, teachers LOVE students and parents who label everything. Try it, your child might just surprise you.
So there you have it. Four quick and easy ways you can help your children be mentally prepared to start school. Whichever approach you use, be sure to fill your child’s brain with positive thoughts about the adventures that await them. Kids can feel our energy. If you exude positivity, they’ll absorb it!
Have a wonderful start to the new school year everyone!
I am passionate about education in Botswana. With ten years of experience teaching in primary schools in Botswana, I have a love for learning and working with students of all ages. I am the Director of Re A Bua Setswana Academy, teaching conversational Setswana to children and adults. I am the founder of Smart Chalk Consulting where our mission is to create opportunities for teachers within primary schools to grow and improve their instructional practices.
I look forward to connecting with new families and organisations, through offering coaching, workshops, tutoring and much more. For any education-related inquiries, contact me via email.
