Tips on Preparing Your Child for School

As your child grows, school becomes integral to their growth and development. Starting school can be a big step for both the parent and the child. Some parents easily handle this change, but for some, especially first-time parents, a little preparation may be needed to make things go smoothly. Preparing your child for school involves creating a routine, fostering independence, and encouraging curiosity.

Here are some tips on how to get ready for the first day of school

1. Establish a consistent routine: Set regular wake-up times, meal times, and bedtime schedules to help your child adjust to the school routine.

Establishing regular meal times and encouraging healthy food habits is important in preparing your child for school. Based on the FNRI data, Filipino school children had difficulty achieving adequate calcium, folate, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. This is likely due to the low quantities of food consumed or the fact that the current food supply in the Philippines might not contain enough of these nutrients to fulfill the needs of children.[1]  A study published in 2020 showed that half (51%) of Filipino children did not consume any dairy on a given day, 15% consumed age-appropriate milk, and 34% consumed other types of milk.[2] Giving age-appropriate milk formula that supplements vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and DHA with no added sucrose is important. Make sure to provide healthy snacks for school to give them the energy to learn and move while in school.

Sleep is essential to ensure your little one is ready for school. A study by Jackson et al. showed that children who obtain 7 hours or less of sleep per night significantly reduce school readiness.[3] According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours daily (including naps), 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours, and teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours regularly to promote optimal health. Sleeping the recommended hours regularly is associated with better health outcomes, including improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.[4]

2. Encourage independence: Teach them basic skills like dressing, using the bathroom, and packing their school bag independently. Based on developmental milestones, a child should be able to eat independently by 3, have independent bowel habits by 4, and dress and undress independently by 5. [5] Letting your child do things independently will also help them prepare for school their first day in school.

3. Read together: Foster a love for learning by reading books and conversing about the stories. Several studies have shown the positive effect of active reading, which promotes language and socio-emotional development and school readiness. [6] Make it a habit to spend around 20-30 minutes of your day reading to your child.[7] basic reading skills will surely help them feel confident to go to school.

4. Visit the school: Take your child to the school before their first day to familiarize them with the environment. Let your child explore their new classroom and meet and play with other children. This visit will also show that you like and trust the people who will take care of them.

5. Practice social skills: Encourage interaction with other children through playdates or preschool programs to help them feel comfortable in social settings and develop social skills. A study showed that children who view social encounters in more competent ways were reported to possess more competent and less abrasive behaviors in preschool and seem to be better prepared to perform academically and behaviorally in school. [8] Providing opportunities for your children to explore and be socially ready is important in helping them prepare for school.

6. Talk about school: Answer any questions your child may have about school and talk about what they can expect, reassuring them that it's a safe and exciting place. Encouraging them to speak up and ask will foster good communication skills that will help them prepare for their first day of school.

You can simulate a day in school with your child through pretend play. You can take turns being a teacher, child, and parent. Have story time, playtime, drawing, rest time, and outdoor play. Based on a study, the learning through play, interactive stories, and guided pretend play promoted significant improvements in child literacy skills, academic performance, self-directed learning, and social competence, which can be used in transitioning into kindergarten.[9]

7. Foster a positive attitude: Learning is a joyful journey, and by emphasizing the fun aspects, you can instill a sense of excitement and optimism in your child. Encourage them to approach new experiences with enthusiasm. Children who start school with more positive approaches to learning and better academic skills have a better chance than children who do not possess the same readiness qualities to succeed in school. [10]