Articles

SCHOOL READINESS- How Can I Help My Child Begin A New Chapter Of Life Called School, Smoothly?

Stress in children is no longer a rare issue. Just as adults, children too seem to battle each day with their own set of problems. For this reason we are starting a series of articles on children and adolescents which will mainly focus on the various difficulties faced by children in today’s world.

To start with, I thought since the new academic year is round the corner, it would be of help for parents with young children who have or are about to begin school to know a little about school readiness. The aim of this article is to help the parents be prepared as well prepare their children about the various challenges that they may face during their new journey, and thereby help them reduce the stress.

Although school is a routine part of growing up, it can also be a great source of stress for the little one as well as for the whole family. 

School readiness, a term used frequently in the in pre-school and kindergarten setting, means that a child is ready to enter a social and educationally based environment. In other words, the child is ready to start the process of learning how to do things independently

Kindergarten prepares children in a more structured "academic" environment. In most schools the alphabet is taught and mastered by January. Generally, by the time they are ready to enter Grade 1, kindergarten graduates will have a good knowledge of the alphabet and an understanding of the concept of reading.

A lot of the stress and anxiety (child and parental) can be avoided or decreased if parents prepare themselves and their children for the upcoming new school year. The most important thing is tofind out what is expected of your child and what the specific new challenges will be. Knowing challenges your child will be facing and discussing them before hand is a great preparation. The more prepared a child, the less surprises there will be, ensuring a smoother beginning.

It is important to ensure that children are well rested, have had a good night's sleep anda good breakfast before starting school. This of course important every school day, but especially important during the first days back when children will need to be as rested and relaxed as a possible. Tired children tend to be more anxious, impatient and more easily upset and frustrated. 

It is important that your child receives a medical check-up before school starts.