Talking is the key to preparation! In the run up to S-Day start setting expectations...what to do if they need a wee, who to ask for a drink. On their first day make sure you go in and show them where to hang their coats, go to the toilet etc.
Even with big kids, start to plan a week before you go back to school, meet up with friends, find out the name of the new teacher, start going to bed and getting up at the right time.
Read our interview with 3 families on how it was for them in different systems here in france.
Talk about what will happen for lunch - will they come home or stay at school, is there a menu outside school? If so let them know what to expect.
Don't expect a full run down of their day especially if its in another language. Maybe chat about yours and wait for them to get home, relax and chat over dinner.
Try to say hello to a different mum outside the school gates, smile and as you get more confident move forward for "Les Bis" or French kisses.
Getting dressed - their is a fair amount of putting clothes on and taking them off for sport, going out to the play ground etc. Practice fastening coats and doing up shoes - buy velcro! A teacher needs to help 15-30 pupils and so if yours is independant they will get a gold star!
Think elasticated waists, socks not tights, easy belts and check our ready for school kit list N.B. On your first day at school you will probably be handed a list of essentials needed to ensure a happy teacher and child..the various stationery supplies (Link) can be specific in terms of size, number of pages and colour. Getting the items on the list to the teacher is taken very seriously and during La Rentrée you will find the stationery aisles of Carrefour packed with parents frantically trying to complete their lists before the items sell out!
When it comes to pick up time your child will probably be very tired, hungry, thirsty and not very chatty! Take along a power snack like a compote pocket, a box of raisins or a banana and a bottle of water or juice box. The journey back to the car and home is a lot easier with a little distraction. Worried it might spoil their appetite for dinner? Keep it healthy and think of it as pudding first!
Play dates - an ideal way to make new friends ..either on Wednedays, after school or in the holidays. Its really important to help your child forge links with the other kids in their class.
Siblings left behind when an older one goes to school can feel left out, strange, lonely, bored and sad. Make a special fuss of them ... give them lots of attention until you all get used to it! Think about joining a Mum and Baby group and check out KidooLand for some me time for both you and your tot.
You too may feel the void especially if there are no younger siblings at home, the house seems emptier ..why not take a part time job Work from home or volunteer to help Kidookid!
For that first day, remember to find the camera the night before and put it out ready! Share your tips on the Kidookid Forums |
