The start of your child’s Grade R or Grade 1 school year heralds a new era in their development. The following checklist may help to ensure a stress-free approach to the first day and thereby help your child take those first steps through the school gate with confidence:
The start of your child’s Grade R or Grade 1 school year heralds a new era in their development. The following checklist may help to ensure a stress-free approach to the first day and thereby help your child take those first steps through the school gate with confidence:
- Ensure all documentation required by the school is in order.
- Ensure all uniform items, supplies (stationery etc.) as required by the school have been purchased and that they are labelled. (Schools should supply check-lists of these.)
- Confirm any before- and after-school care that your child needs during the school year so that you don’t have any surprises on the first day of school and that your child knows what the routine and arrangements are.
- Get the dates on your calendar for any back-to-school activities offered by the school, such as pupil and parents orientation meetings and any other activities.
- Take your child for a drive or a walk to the school in the days prior to school commencing, to help create a sense of excitement and familiarity.
- Schedule a haircut for your child if required.
- Help your child ease back into “learning mode” with a few creative and cognitive exercises.
- Understand the school day programme, (morning and afternoon times), and change your child’s sleep and eating schedules to match the times of the school day.
- Once school has commenced, be positive with your child – they are innately positive and thrive on your role modelling. Show an active interest in their school days, learning and activities.
Enjoy the journey with your child!
