Preparing for the first school day.

The first school day is a milestone full of changes for both you and your child. Sometimes it seems more exciting for parents than for the little ones themselves. How can you make this transition smooth? And how do you prepare your child and yourself? These are our tips for the first school day at primary school.

Shop together

For group 1 your child needs a backpack, lunchbox, drinking cups, and a gym bag with gym shoes, gym pants, and gym shirt. Picking these items together is not only fun but also useful. Make sure your child’s name is clear on everything to avoid confusion with other children’s belongings.

Make a daily schedule

Children like routine and clarity. Make a day and week schedule with colors and pictures and hang it in a visible place.

Every morning talk about what will happen that day: a long or short school day, gym class, special activities, which teacher is there, birthdays, and who will pick up your child or if they go to after-school care. Also write down the school timetable with holidays, study days, and other special days.

Choose easy clothes

Pick clothes that your child can easily put on and take off, especially for gym class. Clothes without zippers or belts are ideal, as are shoes with velcro. To prevent your child from wearing shoes the wrong way, you can put pictures or arrows inside the shoes.

Read about school

Reading stories about going to school can reduce stress. There are many nice stories and books about this online, and the teacher or library can help you find them. This helps your child to get ready for what will come.

Be on time

This seems obvious, but make sure you are on time. Stress from you causes stress for your child. Take time to start calmly, have breakfast the same way, and keep a fixed morning routine. Prepare everything the night before so you forget nothing.

Learn to say goodbye well

You want to avoid a dramatic goodbye on the first school day. Say goodbye clearly and briefly and consider making a goodbye routine together. Be consistent and do not stretch the goodbye, even if your child cries. Most children are happy again quickly once they are busy in class.

School does not have to be fun right away

Not every child likes school immediately. Talk with your child about the school day and ask specific questions like: “What did you enjoy today?” or “Who did you play with?”. If your child has trouble getting used to school, recognize their feelings without making them smaller. Give your child time to get used to the new situation.

If your child really cannot get used to the school rhythm, you can keep your child home for five hours per week. Report this to the principal. If needed, the principal can give up to five more hours of exemption.

Learn about the school culture

The teacher is your first contact, but much happens outside the classroom. Ask about group chats, helper parents, and playdates. Also see how birthdays and the last school day are celebrated. Talk with class parents and other parents on the school yard to understand the unwritten rules and habits.