My son has reached another milestone in his life today as he celebrates another birthday. Even though I congratulate him, I recognize that the time is fast approaching when he leaves the safety of the nest he has known for all his life.
As I watch and see what a handsome, caring, supportive young man he has become, it sent my mind racing back to his first day at preschool, the lost look on his face, the pain that gripped my stomach and the water that streamed from my face as I left him in an unfamiliar environment. Oh how many strange thoughts came flooding through my mind: Was I doing the correct thing? Is he going to be okay?
It is the first day of school for children and parents will experience many mixed emotions – emotions ranging from excitement, apprehension, curiosity or anxiety. They may ask themselves many questions. Suppose my child does not make new friends? Suppose my child does not settle down and hates it? Did I make the correct choice?
In the next few days children will be transitioning from home to preschool, from preschool to primary, from primary to secondary and from secondary to tertiary education. Here are some tips to help cushion the blow of transition.
Hide your tears: This is the beginning of a long and exciting journey for parent and child. It is quite normal to see many parents shedding a few tears as they have tentative feelings about letting go the hand of their child on that first morning.
Parents need to recognize that this is a stage in the development of their child and the child is beginning to become more independent. Regardless of your feelings the child might just be excited and ready to start on his or her big adventure, so parents wipe those tears, put on a brave face and give the child the support he or she needs.
See him/her settle: Most parents like to take their children to the door of the classroom and settle them down. That is quite fine, but that is the purpose of orientation. Once orientation is out of the way there is no need to stick around the first day. Parents can leave with the assurance that their children are in the capable hands of the class teacher.
As much as some parents might not want to believe it, children pick up a great deal from what they say and do. Parents who are excited and positive at the beginning of the first day of school will transfer that enthusiasm to the child. By the same token, worries and feelings of anxiety shown by parents will also be transferred to the child. Parents forget those tears, apprehensions or anxieties and prepare for the beginning of a long and exciting journey with your child.
• Rhonda A. Blackman is an educator, a National Development Scholar and former president of the Early Childhood Association of Barbados Inc.