Countdown Calendar
I call Amelia a "change anticipator." Meaning, she's nervous as she knows change is coming. Once the change happens she's fine and can roll with just about anything. So, naturally she was nervous working her way up to her first day. So, we printed out a calendar and marked off days as the first day of school approached. This helped her visualize when it was going to happen and she didn't ask me ten times a day when she was starting school! This may not work for your little one given his/her personality. Funny side note, Amelia missed her first day of school due to a fever so the countdown was a little off!
Living the new schedule
Amelia has to get up at 6:30 to get ready for school. We don't get up at 6:30 in the summer! So, we started the week before school with her "school" schedule. This helped her adjust to the new times (getting up and going to bed) and eased the transition a little for her.
Organizing her clothes
We set-up a system picking out her clothes each night before bed so she could get dressed first thing in the AM without our help. A few months into this process I purchased a hanging clothes organizer and LOVE IT! Best $12 I've spent in a while. So each Sunday we go to her room, pick out clothes for the week factoring in PE days, special events, etc. We put each day in a slot of the organizer, complete with undies and socks! She gets to pick out Friday's outfit all by herself. For some reason she has a little trouble coordinating things, but cares a lot about looking cute. In order to give her some independence but try to avoid the mean girls comments we came up with this compromise. It worked really well.
Doing something special
I took Amelia for a pedicure before school started. This was a special treat for her and a great memory for both of us. Yes, I could have given her a pedicure at home, but there's something special about sitting in a little chair and having someone dote on you!
Meet the teacher night
Do your best NOT to miss this. It was very important for her and I'm guessing most kids. It gives them a peak inside the classroom, helps them recognize their teacher on the first day, and you can help them find the bathroom for the first time!
Talk, Talk, Talk
We talked a lot about expectations, friends, the playground, lunch, listening, following instructions and honoring your teacher and the list goes on. I know Amelia is a great kid, but if we didn't prep her for some of these changes she would have been navigating them on the fly, that's a lot for a 5 year old.
Arm them with Scripture
A little bit before school started we had Amelia memorize this great scripture from Joshua 1:9.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
This might not be the right one for your child, but put some thought into what verse in God's Word would help your child feel better as they venture into this new environment called school.
There are lots of other things we did, shop for school supplies, clothes and talk to other kids who go to her school to name a few. But the most important thing is that we tried to make starting school a fun adventure. Starting Kindergarten was not without its bumps and bruises, but all in all she fared well, and so did I!
Amelia on her first day!
3 comments:
this is so sweet!
and oddly enough, gave me an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. i think it takes me back to the first days in my life and the nervousness i felt.
especially love the memory verse.
Love this list. I love "living the schedule" the week before school. I think I'll try that...for all of our sanity!
I also added that scripture to our box of memory verses. LOVE it!
Oh Erin, you're speaking right to me today as I read these blog posts! It feels like kindergarten is really sneaking up on us, and I don't want to have her miss out on being prepared for this exciting new time and just be winging it because I didn't help prepare her. So thank you, this is awesome!
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