Prepare for the First Day of School

If you've found yourself wondering how to prepare your child for the first day of school, you wouldn't be alone. The first day of school doesn't have to be a time of stress and anxiety. With a bit of preparation, you and your child will be ready to start school with confidence, ease and excitement.

1. Visit the school with your child

Prepare for the first day of school and get your child excited about learning with Reading Eggs. Explore hundreds of fun and exciting online reading activities and over 3500 e‑books to choose from. 

Before the first day of school comes around. Find out if your school runs an open day or tours of the buildings. If not, you can drive past the school with your child or even walk through the grounds after checking in with the administration office. This is a great way to get your child excited about beginning their journey in a brand‑new place. To add some fun and spark your little one's imagination, you can get them to draw a picture of what they remember or what they are looking forward to most about their first day of school.

2. Meet the teacher

Meeting the teacher is a helpful way to make your child's transition from your care into another's much easier. If they know who they will be spending each school day with from the get‑go, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed or upset. Before the meeting, ask your child if there are any questions they would like to ask their new teacher and encourage them to ask questions on their own.

3. Arrange play sessions

Prepare for the first day of school and get your child excited about learning with Reading Eggs. Explore hundreds of fun and exciting online reading activities and over 3500 e‑books to choose from. 

Arrange play sessions with other children who will be starting school with your child. By seeing familiar faces and having already established some friendships, they will be less likely to feel alone and nervous on their first day of school.

4. Complete your school supplies checklist

Instead of feeling overwhelmed the night before, prepare a few days in advance to tick off all the school supplies you'll need. These include things like a pencil case, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpener and child‑safe scissors. Lunch essentials include things like a durable lunch box, plastic drink bottles with non‑drip caps, and food for packed lunches. Don't forget to label everything with your child's name.

5. putting things in their bag

Before their first day of school, your child should know how to put things into their school bag, or at least feel comfortable asking their teacher for help. Other ways you can improve your child's independence before starting school is by helping them to practice putting on their shoes, eating and drinking without help, going to the toilet on their own and using a tissue to blow their nose.