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? Here are our tips for the first school day at primary school.

Shop together

Your child needs a backpack, lunchbox, drinking cups, and sports bag with gym shoes, gym pants, and gym shirt for group 1. Choosing these items together is not only fun but also useful. Make sure your child’s name is clearly on everything to avoid confusion with, for example, another child’s lunchbox.

Make a daily schedule

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

Talk every morning about what will happen that day: a long or short school day, gym class, special activities, which teacher will be there, birthdays, and who will pick up your child or if they go to after-school care. Also note the school calendar with holidays, study days, and other special days.

Choose easy clothes

Pick clothes your child can easily put on and take off, especially for gym class. Clothes without zippers or belts work best, as do shoes with velcro. To stop your child from putting shoes on the wrong feet, you can stick pictures or arrows inside the shoes.

Read about school

Reading about going to school can reduce worry. There are many fun stories and books online about this. The teacher or library can help you find them. This helps your child get ready for what is coming.

Be on time

This seems obvious, but make sure you are on time. Stress for you means stress for your child. Take time to start calm, have breakfast in the same way, and keep a fixed morning routine. Prepare everything the night before so you don’t forget anything.

Learn to say goodbye well

You want to avoid a dramatic goodbye on the first school day. Say goodbye clearly and briefly and maybe make a goodbye routine together. Keep it steady and don’t stretch the goodbye, even if your child cries. Most children are happy again quickly once they start 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 like today?” or “Who did you play with?”. If your child has trouble settling in, accept 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 may keep them at home for five hours a week. You must report this to the director. If needed, the director can give up to five more hours off.

Learn about the school culture

The teacher is your first contact, but much happens outside the class. Ask about group chats, help parents, and play dates. See how birthdays and the last school day are celebrated. Talk to class parents and other parents on the playground to learn the unspoken rules and habits.

Questions or personal advice?

Do you have questions about this topic, would you like advice regarding your situation, or just a listening ear? Then please contact us via 088-6050101, email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or WhatsApp ons.