The first day of grades 1-12 in Wilmington is August 30, which is just around the corner. So here are some tips from Patch writer Christine MacKenzie on how to make the first day of school a great one for your children.
If you ask almost any mom what the hardest moment of raising their child has been, chances are good that the answer will be the first day of school. The question, however, remains who that day has been harder on, mom or child?
Let’s face the facts. Children sense their parents’ stress and, at the same time, parents feel every bit of emotional pain that their children do. Put those two items together and a recipe for first day of school blues is created!
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Personally, my own first days of school were far from perfect. I cried, cried again and cried some more.
To this day I look back and credit the very patient staff at the 1970’s Boutwell Elementary School for putting up with me and helping me adjust. Mrs. Driscoll, the principal, and Mrs. Sadowski, the secretary, will always hold a special place in my heart as the women who helped me, and my mother, survive the first grade!
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Oddly enough, my own son went of to that very same school without a hitch. He was happy to go and, as a matter of fact, I think he was good and ready to leave me behind and move on to bigger and better things. Proving, once again, that every child is different and every child adjusts in their own way.
So what was the difference between me and my son? What can parents do to turn the tables from catastrophe to accomplishment?
Well, it might seem a bit early to start thinking about this but, reality is, school is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to plan for the school year ahead.
Longtime Wilmington teacher Leeann Sadowski has six tips that should help parents and children get off on the right foot and start school on a good note.
1. Talk positively about the experience your child will have in school and how much he/she will learn in the coming year.
2. Allow your child to help prepare for the upcoming year by shopping for school supplies together. Picking out a backpack, lunch box and folders can get a child excited about getting a chance to use them.
3. Talk to "mom" friends and try to find someone who will be in your child's class. It's always reassuring to have a friend or familiar face in your class.
4. Slowly begin the "school routine", prior to the beginning of school. Get your child used to an appropriate bedtime. Spend 15-20 minute (or more depending on your child's age) each night reading or doing some school activities to lessen the adjustment to homework.
5. Make sure your child has a nutritious breakfast each morning.
6. No matter how chaotic the morning or how "sad" mom may feel to see her little one go off to school, keep a positive, upbeat, and calm demeanor. Children sense everything!
