Starting school survival guide

Sarah Ebner, author of the Starting School Survival Guide: everything you need to know when your child starts school, shares her tops tips for parents whose little ones start school or nursery in a few weeks...

Starting school is a big step, for both child and adult. It doesn't matter if it's your first, second, only or youngest child, this marks a definite stage in their development. Even if they have been to nursery, school is the beginning of something so much more grown-up.

So, here are ten top tips for parents whose children are soon to head off to the school gate for the first time.

1) Stay calm - or at least try to act calm!

Your child will pick up on your moods and you don't want to worry him or her. You may be feeling emotional about your little one growing up, or stressed about how you are going to fit school days into your work pattern, but keep those concerns away from him if you can.

2) Cut down on screen time

This includes time spent watching TV, on the computer or DS, or even playing with your mobile phone. This will really help with your child's attention span and ability to concentrate.

3) Spend time together away from a screen, talking, playing games and reading

This will all help with communication, language and phonics skills and it's also a lovely way to enjoy some quality time before school takes over.

4) Talk about school

Go and take a look if it helps (from the outside is fine), and answer
questions as honestly (but positively!) as you can. You can also share books about the subject. Topsy and Tim Start School by Jean and Gareth Adamson and I am too absolutely small for school by Lauren Child, are two of my
favourites.

5) Cut down on the snacks

There won't be much scope for this at school! Instead there will be a
"healthy eating" policy and children will be given fruit or vegetables (think carrots rather than cabbage) to munch on. Switching from juice to water will also help, as that's what they'll be drinking at school.

6) Label clothes

Show your child where the label is. Otherwise you will spend your life hunting for missing sweatshirts (not to mention shouting at your child for losing them). You will also find that teachers are less keen to help if you don't show that you've made an effort.

7) Get your child used to eating communally

Some of them find it scary and noisy to eat in a canteen. Invite friends over and eat together as a family. Oh, and encourage them to use cutlery (not just spoons!)

8) Encourage independence

This doesn't mean letting your child do what he wants to (that's not a good lesson for parent-child relations!). Instead, work on their independence regarding getting dressed, going to the toilet (and washing their hands afterwards) and even blowing their nose (with a tissue please).

9) Hold back on the playdates and after-school activities

You may find that your child is absolutely exhausted after a school day, even if they have been going to nursery. Give them time to relax and don't over-schedule.

10) Don't hang around

Your child needs you to say goodbye and go in the morning. It makes it much easier for them to settle. This can be genuinely difficult if your child is crying, but it's probably the best course of action. You can always ring the school office later on to check that everything's okay.

Good luck!

Sarah Ebner is the author of the Starting School Survival Guide: everything you need to know when your child starts school. It's published by White Ladder, priced at £10.99, and is available from bookshops and on Amazon

Last Modified: 24/08/2011