The thought of your child starting school can elicit panic, concern, excitement, dread and a whole host of other emotions as you prepare for the unknown of classroom structures, new friends, the possibility of bullying, school lunches, school uniform and so much more. All this and more went through my head when my eldest began her academic journey so I thought I’d share my experience with you in the hopes that it may ease your transition into school-parent a little easier.
Get Organised
I’ll save you further preamble and simply say, get a calendar!
School is not preschool or daycare. Every day is different and it’s up to you to remember that Monday’s they have extra reading, Tuesday’s is ballet, Wednesday’s is library day and Thursday’s is after school care and Friday’s is sport meaning send your kid to school in their normal uniform and expect tears and humiliation. They’ll probably be a bit upset too.
The Folder
I was not prepared for the level of administration I would be faced with each afternoon on retrieving my daughter’s blue folder containing all manner of notes and homework. Yes they get homework but I’ll get to that later.
First thing is this – the folder must return with them each day in their bag meaning you would be well advised to buy an additional folder to keep things organised at home.
Its contents – anything from notes about upcoming school excursions, my advice is to fill in the permission slip immediately and place in the folder, leaflets about activities available to your child, invoice receipts for school fees and the dreaded homework!
Homework
Haha, it’s not that scary I promise and what it entails will vary from school to school but invariably at Year K level it will involve a home reader and accompanying log in which you are to keep a diary of your child’s reading activity and ability. There are often school incentives to clock a good number of days of reading so keep this in mind. It can be difficult to factor this into your daily routine, particularly with so much else likely occurring in your weekly schedule. I for one struggle at times to incorporate homework into life with three kids. However, it is important so perhaps pinpoint 2-3 afternoons/evenings in a week or on the weekend to complete the reading.
Our school also requires a weekly presentation of ‘news’ on topics chosen either by your child or the school. Don’t be alarmed, this can be image-led (ie. Drawings to indicate words or activities) for children who are slower to the reading and writing game than others (mine included). Try and prepare a couple of days before to give you both a chance to get familiar with it and for your child to practice. This is just an exercise to encourage their confidence with public speaking.
Public Speaking Competition
A part of the school curriculum, rightly or wrongly, this includes even the children of Year K. As the mother of a struggler with regards reading and writing I was up in arms over the thought of my child being forced into a situation she was at immediate disadvantage with. However, I have since made my peace. I treat it as an extension of the weekly ‘news’ assignment and as she becomes more fluent with words and their meaning I will encourage her advanced participation in the annual public speaking competition.
Awards
The school system is driven by positive reinforcement with Star Awards and the like given at the teachers’ discretion for behavioural, social and academic achievements. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in this if you don’t see the inclusion of many awards in your child’s folder as was my experience during Year K. Stay focused on your own means of positive reinforcement.
I don’t remember
It won’t surprise you to hear that you’re unlikely to get much out of your child as to the content of their school day. It’s all very overwhelming as they get used to a different structure, lessons, new friendships and never mind that but an enormous maze of rooms and buildings to learn their way round. Be patient with them and in time you won’t be able to shut them up for telling you the minutiae of their day!
Ask the Teacher
Unlike the open communication that happens with the educators at your child’s daycare centre or preschool, your child’s school teacher(s) are a little more pressed for time. Don’t expect them to give you a daily rundown because the reality is you won’t get it. However if you want to chat to them, in lieu of your child’s edu-amnesia, they will give you the means to arrange a convenient time to do so.
Lost and Found
Find it. Trust me, you’ll be a regular because the moment your darling enters the world of school and minimal supervision (unlike preschool or daycare) things will get lost. Hats, jumpers, lids from lunchboxes, water bottles… you name it, they’ll lose it. This is why labelling everything clearly is super important. My advice, buy cheap things that are easily replaceable. This can also be applied to school uniform.
School Uniform
Yes you will likely have a core ensemble bearing the school insignia but don’t be afraid to buy generic back-ups from Target, Big W and Kmart. They are cheaper and less likely to induce your wrath when they come home smeared in paint and textas. Just make sure you stock up when you see it so they don’t sell out of the sizes you need. Most schools will have a uniform shop too where if you’re lucky you can pick up second hand everything at a fraction of the cost. School uniform is not cheap!
School Shoes
These typically need to be black and as your child will spend much of their time sitting cross legged on the floor, comfortable! Be prepared for your child to go through around 1-2 pairs during the year or 3 if you’re my child who enjoys scuffing her toes and coming home with someone else’s shoes.
In the Classroom
Opportunities will arise throughout the school year for you to enter the classroom, particularly in Kindy. Mother’s Day, Grandparents Day, Harmony Day etc will all give rise to you being invited into your child’s learning space and I promise your heart will swell with pride every time. For those parents forced to split themselves between two or more children at a time (I’m talking to mums of multiples if this is your first time, or siblings later on), perhaps have a chat to your children ahead of each event and decide between you how you will divide your time. This of course only applies if your twins/triplets are in different classes. (More on that in my interview with Twin Mum Nicole).
Excursions
These will typically require your child to be at school a little earlier than usual so if you aren’t already doing the following, definitely do it for excursions. Prepare the excursion bag (small backpack, either your own or purchased from the uniform shop) the night before, make a packed lunch and fill your child’s water bottle the night before and set the alarm half an hour earlier.
Stay Connected
Ultimately, for first time school parents the whole experience can be incredibly daunting because it is the unknown. But for the most part the school will ease you into it. Join your school’s Facebook groups, if there isn’t one for your child’s class offer to set one up – ours has been invaluable for lost notes, information about non-uniform days, end of year musicale’s, school events, lost items, homework and so much more! That first year of school is the ideal time to make new connections with the fellow parents in your class, particularly as it is the year you will drop off and collect your child at their classroom. I have made many great friendships with the parents from Denny’s classes both in Year K and Year 1, which certainly makes things easier when it comes to organising play dates to further nurture your child’s friendships during that first year.
Just remember, this time is fleeting. Take a fully charged phone or camera and a pack of tissues that first day and make wonderful memories as you watch your offspring graduate from child to student!