My eldest daughter is not a shy little one. In fact, she’s the bubbliest kid you’ll ever meet. She could easily memorize songs and lines from her favorite shows, she loves to pretend play and she even makes up her own stories and songs. However, there is one problem: she’s not the most sociable person in the room. Every time she sees lots of adults she doesn’t know, she’ll surely come running towards me and won’t let go. During her preschool assessment, the teacher also told me that she is ready for school, but her social skills could be an issue.
Come first day of school.
I know she’s not like other kids you could easily leave with the teachers. It didn’t surprise me at all. Since it’s her first time to go to school, the whole idea of attending classes everyday is something new to her. That is why I came up with few tricks to help her get excited. The formula may not be perfect but here’s what I did to help her prepare for school and not hate it. 
1. Pay a visit.
There is a reason why my husband and I decided to enroll A in her current preschool – she is used to it. She knows the environment, she’s been there countless times and the teachers know her already. Still, that didn’t stop us from paying a visit and telling her that this is where she is going.
Paying a visit to the school and even playing in there could increase your child’s ease and comfort level. This will also help minimize separation anxiety once school starts. Go ahead and schedule that trip.
2. Explore the idea of school in daily activities.
I am no homeschooling mom, so my kids may confuse play time and study time. Still, I used it as an opportunity to teach A the concept of school through pretend play. She has a Peppa Pig toy wherein Peppa and the rest of her friends are in the classroom. We always play with that and at the same time, constantly tell her that she will have teachers (like Madame Gazelle) and classmates.
Aside from this, play time became a venue for “Pretend School.” We attended a couple of preview classes so I was able to grasp what and how teachers supervise a class. I incorporated that in our daily activities by singing songs, reading stories, painting and acting out.
3. Read books about school.
I came across this article from a magazine enumerating different books that talk about first day of school or going to school. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to buy one. Reading books about school could help a lot in setting the “school mood” for your child. What I did was to simply create stories about going to school, still using Peppa Pig. Thankfully, my daughter enjoyed it.
4. Enroll in summer classes.
As much as possible, in your child’s preschool. If your chosen preschool has summer classes, take advantage of it. Aside from keeping your child busy and tablet-free for a few hours, this could help your child familiarize and become at ease with the school’s environment.
5. Buy school stuff together.
This is my favorite part. The whole idea of school and buying stuff for my girls excites me. The weekend before school starts, A and I went to the mall to buy her lunch box and backpack (check out my daughter’s Crocodile Creek Owl backpack). Since I want her to be “in control” and emphasize that she is a big girl already, I allow her to choose what she wants (still, with my consent, of course). Somehow, this gives kids the idea of that they are big already and ready for preschool.
6. Establish a school bedtime.
This is one of my biggest challenges. My daughters are used to sleeping at 10pm and wake up at 9am the following day. A’s school starts at 9:30 and ends at 12 noon. Prior to school starts, I started to “train” my kids to sleep early so at least, they could have eight hours (or more) of sleep. This prevents crankiness during class too.
7. Be early.
It is imperative to be early on the first day of school. During A’s first day, we were in her school already by 9:10, which allows her to play around, get to know her teacher and be comfortable with the environment. Waking up early and being early avoids rush too, which could stress out the child.
A child’s first day in school is a big step. With proper preparation and ample time to adjust in a new setting, for sure your child will get used to the environment.
How about you mommas, any tips you could add on how you prepared your little one for his/her first day?
Ayi is a stay-at-home mom of two. When her kids are in their best state, she keeps up with chores, work, and ensuring that her sanity is intact. Join her as she navigates through this rollercoaster ride called motherhood.
Thanks for sharing these tips. This would really be of a great help for me as my daughter will start schooling by next year. π
No problem. I hope this post helps π
I too did most of what you have listed to help my eldest with coping up on her first day of school… The first day of her summer classes she was crying and throwing tantrums for 1 hour, cause I basically left her and tried not to be seen even if I’m nearby… Then on the second day of summer school she wanted to be left behind cause she enjoyed the first day, and on the official first day of school she was the most well-adjusted girl in class- about 90% of kids were hesitant to leave their parents, but my kid gave me a kiss and said goodbye- no tantrums or crying. π
Buti pa siya! I’m still dealing with (semi) separation anxiety. Even the kids in her class have it too. Though for me, I think enrolling in summer classes, kahit two weeks lang would really help π
Nice tips. π Goodluck on your baby’s schooling. π
Thank you π
All great tips. Preparation is key which includes mind setting, encouragement and support.
I agree mommy Louisa π Thanks!
I’m sure I will experience this during my son’s first day of school when he starts schooling. I think it’s really very challenging especially that the kids don’t want their mothers away.
bedtime is the most difficult esp for me since im an insomniac. struggle is real
Same here. My normal sleeping time is around 12:30 to 1am! And I have to wake up at 6 to prepare breakfast and baon.
Nice tips! I enjoyed reading it and was imagining myself na! haha.. I still have couple more years since my toddler won’t be joining school anytime soon yet. =)
Thanks! I hope you find this post useful when the time comes and your son will go to school π
i wish i have read this before my youngest David started school earlier this month. noted lessons from this post. thanks.
This was based on personal experience that’s why it took me awhile to post this. Hehe. Glad you found the post helpful. Thanks mommy! π
This is perfect for me because my firstborn is going to pre-school next year. Thanks for sharing! And good luck with your daughter’s schooling!
Thank you momma! π I really hope everything goes well π
I already miss the days when my kids were this age. My eldest is in 10th grade already. XD
Great tips you’ve shared.
I just enrolled my daughter last Monday so Tuesday was her first day. We didn’t have time to prepare hihi
xoxo
MrsMartinez
Okay lang yun mommy. I hope she’s doing okay with school π
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! I’m a first time mom and my son is just one and a half years old, that’s why I find this post very informative. Surely, I’ll do these things to help my son prepare for his first day in school. Pero ngayon pa lang, nalulungkot na ko pag iniisip ko na soon, mag school na sya. I’ll surely miss him big time when that day comes!
No problem. I’m glad you find this helpful π Time flies really fast when you’re a mom. Ako, I still can;t believe my eldest is in school na. Hehe
When my son started preschool, he was crying for a week inside the classroom. He soon realized that there’s nothing to be afraid of in school since he’s well taken care of and because it’s fun to be with kids his age.
I wish ganyan din daughter ko. Hahaha. She still has separation anxiety eh.
great tips… though I must admit that I dread the day when I have to bring my son to his first day of school (not that I am decided yet since homeschooling is still my number 1 choice especially in his case π )
I remembered when it was my eldest son’s first day of school. He was the one who told me to stay outside. Good thing he enrolled during the summer class. At ease na kaagad siya π
My daughter is not really the shy type so I didn’t have problems with her going to school. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Great tips!
Before we enrolled my daughter in toddler school, the school director suggested that she sit in with the class first for a wee so that the teachers (and i) can gauge her readiness or not. She cried a few times since she’s a first timer and also maybe because she’s just 2 1/2. But she adjust well after 2-3 months. Actually, I was allowed to sit with her in class and when the time came for me to leave her, ako na ang may separation anxiety- hahaha.
Same here momma π When I could finally leave my daughter in the classroom, ako naman ang ayaw mag let go. Always ako sumisilip sa classroom to check on her. Lol!