Assisting your child to start the day calmly

Starting the day in a calm and predictable way can help children feel ready for their day at school. As any parent knows, children don’t always understand time in the same way we do, so setting up regular morning routines can help keep things on track.

• Prepare the night before

Try and prepare as much as possible the night before. For example, you or your child could make their school lunch, put out their school uniform for the next day, and pack their bag for school.

• Read notes and alerts on COMPASS and in the school Newsletter

The school sends home notes and information via COMPASS alerts and Newsletters to let parents and carers know when there is something special happening at school such as sports days, excursions, or special school assemblies. Try and read these notes so you are up to date with what is happening and can be prepared. Make a habit of talking to your child about what is happening the next day so there are no surprises in the morning when you are trying to get out the door.

• Create a weekly schedule

Consider creating a weekly schedule listing what is happening each day at school For example, you could list which days your children have Sport, library band or extra-curricular activities before and after school.  See if you can involve your kids in making the schedule, so they feel they are part of the process and will be more likely to keep to it. When the schedule is ready, put it somewhere prominent so everyone can see it.

• Wake up gently

Consider giving your child an alarm clock to help them wake up. Suggest they set it for 15 minutes before they need to be up so they don’t feel rushed getting out of bed. If they can wake up without feeling rushed, the morning is more likely to go smoothly. Remember it can take at least 21 days to form a habit and adjust to a new routine, so don’t expect the first morning to go like clockwork.

•  Make a checklist

Encourage your children to do things for themselves. This will make them feel more in control of their morning. Put a daily checklist up so they can work through what they need to do to get ready for school.  The checklist could include things like:  ‘wake up’, ‘get dressed’, ‘have breakfast’, ‘brush teeth’, ‘make lunch’ ‘pack schoolbag’, and ‘put on shoes and socks’. 

• Try and remain calm

Try to stay calm. Most children take their cues from the adults around them. If you become stressed, this will make them feel stressed too. If you can remain calm, your child is more likely to start their day in a positive frame of mind which will help them make the most of their day at school. Staying calm and being organised in the morning will help you and your child feel positive about the day ahead. It will also help you reduce stress, which is good for everyone’s wellbeing.

Reference:

https://www.sparktheirfuture.qld.edu.au/how-a-morning-routine-can-help-your-child-at-school/

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/school-homework-tips/morning-routine-for-school#morning-routine-for-school-the-whys-and-hows-nav-titlevyub 

Children with separation difficulties

Separation anxiety is a normal part of childhood development, beginning at approximately 6 months of age and typically resolving around the time children begin kindergarten. For some children, separating from their parents remains difficult for a longer time.

Often, separating is just as (or more) difficult for the parents! The school understands that you may be anxious about how your child is coping being away from you for several hours, but please be assured that they are safe and very well supported by their teachers. While you may be at home worrying, your child is likely to be settled in class and learning new things and making new friends. 

Most children settle very well immediately after their parent has left their eyesight. Some strategies that are very useful if your child is clingy, distressed or anxious about you leaving in the morning include:  

• Establishing a morning ritual which includes a specific place where you say “See you later” to your child. (“See you later” is often received better than “Goodbye”.)  
• Make sure that your child has met up with a friend or is engaged in some kind of activity before you leave.  
• Give your child a hug or kiss and let them know that you will pick them up after school (or tell them who will). 

• Remain calm, matter-of-fact and do not linger. Once you have said “See you later” it is important that you leave rather than prolonging the farewell. 

• It is tempting to try to watch your child through a window or from around a corner, but once a child is settled, seeing their parent again often reignites the distress. 

• Children really feel if their parent is anxious about leaving and this can also be a trigger for them.  

• If your child has forgotten something important, take it to the front office rather than risking distressing your child again by bringing it into the playground and having another farewell.  

• Allow your child to bring something belonging to you to school, such as a note or a piece of fabric with your perfume / aftershave on it.  
• After school, talk about all the positive things that occurred throughout the day. Discuss these the following morning on your way to school.  

Reference:

https://psychology.org.au/

Sheereen Brunetta
Assistant Principal