Sending Your Child to School for the First Time

Sending a child to school for the first time brings a mixture of worry and anticipation. From the child's perspective, being separated from their parents and going to school alone for the first time can be a deeply unsettling experience.

Fortunately, many children today tend not to find going to school particularly difficult. This is especially true for children of dual-income parents or overseas workers, as well as those accustomed to being cared for by their grandparents.

American parent Nina Garcia shared eight tips on her blog for preventing or addressing crying at school. The first is to talk about school in a positive way. It can also help to talk about schoolwork and the new friends the child will make.

Garcia suggests putting a bracelet or small toy in the child's bag that they can touch when they feel nervous or afraid, much like a “security blanket.” Arriving at school early also gives the child the advantage of quickly getting to know classmates one by one as they arrive.

What a child does first upon arriving at school is important. Garcia explained, “You can make going to school enjoyable by guiding your child to do their favorite activity first when they arrive.” She added, “You can also ask the teacher what your child's favorite activity is. Your child may even start urging you to hurry and take them to school.”

When parting with a child at the school entrance, parents should say goodbye “properly.” Without a clear goodbye, the child may be reluctant to leave their parent's arms. The farewell should be brief and cheerful. Drawing it out for too long may leave the child feeling confused. Parents are also advised to ask the teacher about their child's school life and discuss the child's strengths.

Finally, parents should support their children in “expressing their emotions naturally” at home and help them find ways to accept and cope with feelings of fear, anger, hurt, and worry.