Anyway, these tips are from my years of experience as a head of department for Character and Citizenship Education in a Primary School. Our department manages P1 orientation, P1 first week of school, P1 buddy programme and also the transition and integration programme. My team (including our school counsellor) and I love doing CSI work. So we hope these tips will be able to help parents prepare their children better for this big milestone. :)
Tip #1: LABEL EVERYTHING
Everything includes pencil, pencil case, ruler, bag, books, wallet, water bottle, socks and even shoes!
Why?
Because even if your child is not the blur sotong in class, other kids may be. This is to minimize any situations in the early days that the child has to go through anxiety in looking for their belongings, conflict management to get their items back (which they may not handle very well) or even the fear of being reprimanded if their items are missing.
Also at lower Primary, there are PAL lessons, speech and drama classes or gym lessons, which sometimes require students to take off their socks and shoes.
Bonus!
Allow your child to label these themselves by writing their name on the items. This will help them to know what items they have and create the sense of ownership. Go through the items in the pencil case and their bag, where each items are placed, e.g. Front pocket is where the handbook is.
You should also have these information in the student handbook: Parents’ name and contact number, medical condition, food allergies, school bus contact, student care contact.
Tip #2: TOILET TRAINING
Teach you child how to clean himself up after the session. Especially after a pooping session.
Why?
Our team solved the mystery of some crying P1 kids who wanted to go home and usually at the same timing. We thought it was a case of school refusal so we checked with the teachers if they were too fierce, we checked with the parents on what the kids said about school, we even checked if they had some learning needs hence they kept crying. Turn out, the kiddo had stomachache and he was afraid to go to the school toilet to clear his bowel, because he did not know how to clean himself up. So he cried and wanted to go home.
Some childcare or kindergartens or even us at home, we tend to help our children wash up after they poop, in fear they did not clean themselves well. It is good, but can be better if we guide and teach them to do it themselves. :)
Bonus!
You may wish to prepare a packet of wet wipe for them and coach them how to clean up. For Malay parents, please teach your child how to wash themselves with the water hose. Our Malay teachers will walk the students to the toilet to show them the cubicles with the water hose.
Tip #3: DENTAL CHECKUP
Bring your child for a dental checkup before school start or at least before the school dental nurse start calling P1 kids in for dental check up.
Why?
The dental clinic in school is usually very cold, or at least the one in my school. Imagine you as a P1 kid, got called up to meet the dental nurse. He or She goes into the cold room, meets a stranger, then the stranger starts putting cold metal items into your mouth and worst! the stranger is going to drill a hole in your tooth or pluck out one tooth! And you have to go through all these alone! Man.. I don't think I can handle this.
By going for a dental check up before school starts, means your child already has prior experience of a dental chair and how it feels like to have things in their mouth. Secondly, all the scary procedures (if required) would have been completed with the parents around. Someone they feel safe and secure with!
Bonus!
Having good dental habits since young is important. Also, please do not speak ill of dental visits. Saying the experience is scary is not the best way to prepare your child.
Tip #4: EYE CHECKUP
Bring your child for an eye checkup. If there is shortsightedness or other eye problems, make sure spectacles are made or treatment is given.
Why?
When children are in childcare centres, the teacher student ratio is small and most of the time, children sit near or crowd around the teacher during lesson or activities. Hence, even if the words are smaller, a child with shortsightedness can still see and may not know they need spectacles.
Now, in a P1 classroom, the class size is usually about 30-32. Classroom is a lot bigger. Sometimes the children sit on the floor to listen to class but most of the time, they are at their desks, looking at the whiteboard and sometimes, copying instructions or words. If your child is taller, most probably he or she will be placed nearer to the back of the classroom which means further away from the whiteboard.
If your child does not know the blurness is due to an eye issue and does not communicate it with you, they will start underperforming, or even feel frustrated. Over time, it may lead to school refusal.
Bonus!
Frankly, it is kinda fun going for eye check ups!
Tip #5: FINANCIAL LITERACY
Does your kid know how to order food or calculate? Even if they cannot count well, we should at least expose our children regularly to speak or order with vendors.
Why?
Your child may not have their older sibling in the same recess time slot and surely won't have you help them order in the canteen. Hence, it is important to build the confidence in the child to first, be able to decide for himself what he wants to eat; second, to know how to order; and lastly, be able to calculate the amount needed or how much change to receive. Regular practice will be good!
Bonus!
Ask the school about the food prices and even they are on the HPB healthy eating programme. If the school if on the programme, it is gonna be a lot easier. Food are sold in set bentos, in S/M/L sizes, priced at $1.20, $1.50 and $1.80.
If not, by knowing roughly the food prices, you can plan with your child how much to bring. Do also advise your child to buy food FIRST, before going to the book shop. We had so many new P1 kids just splurging all their lunch money on meaningless stationery or even origami paper. They ended up not eating properly.
So, for the first two weeks, you may want to prepare some snacks for them to bring to school and also bring along some snacks when you are picking them up from school. Your kid may have starved himself for the whole day already.
Tip #6: WATCH YOUR WORDS
Speak positively, enthusiastically and passionately about this transition!
Caution yourself to NOT ask one million questions after your kid comes home from school. It may have been an overwhelming day for them. Let them rest a bit if they are not ready to speak up. Do not get frustrated and push them to share. Take it easy! :)
Why?
What you say makes a big difference to the way your child views school, teachers or even homework. If you gossip or grumble, your child most probably will also view their teachers, school and learning negatively. I have heard parents saying things like, "so much homework!", "homework so difficult!", "teacher likes to torture!", "teacher unfair to you", "this activity is so stupid", etc. Seriously, how to have a good perspective after hearing these?
Bonus!
Share about your experiences when you entered school and when you are in school. BUT if it is a set back, remember to always end the sharing with a good ending or positive outcome!
Some topic you can discuss:
*recess time,
*separate boys and girls toilets,
*School bus routines
*the school bell and what it means
*Classroom Setting and what to expect
Tip #7: WATCH YOUR ACTIONS
Actions speaks louder than words. Expressions too! Be calm and composed.
Why?
If your child is in morning session, wake up earlier, so you will not end up having to rush your child, and everyone is frustrated. How to start a day happy, when you just got scolded? Even if you did not scold, the fact that it is not a leisure walk to school or to the car, it just builds the anxiety more.
Bonus!
Send your child to school on time and do not be late in picking them up. The former builds confidence and the later builds trust.
Tips #8: HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND HABITS
Maintain a consistent sleep and wake time daily, including over the weekends.
Why?
School-going children need between 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Adolescents require about 9 hours of sleep. There are so many benefits to a well rested mind and body. You are generally happier when you are not tired. And you definitely absorb information better.
Bonus!
Try to ensure the room has no stimulants like TV or computer or other gadgets that can distract the child to sleep early or well.
Tip #9: BE A SUPPORTIVE AND CONCERNED PARENT
DO:
*monitor your child’s daily work
*give encouragement and support in areas for improvement
*praise your child for any progress made
*have conversations with the teacher and ask how you can be involved in school activities or how you can support your child's learning
DO NOT:
*put too much emphasis on marks and grades
*compare your child’s performance with others
*give more homework than necessary, or as punishment
Why?
Like I always say, our actions and words define the importance of school for our children.
Bonus!
Some questions you can train your child to ask himself/herself each day after school.
Have I finished my homework?
Have I checked my student handbook?
Is there any form or worksheet to be signed or given to my parents?
Did I prepare pocket money for tomorrow?
Have I checked my timetable?
Have I packed my school bag?
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