|
STARTING SCHOOL CAN BE A NERVE-WRECKING EXPERIENCE
STARTING SCHOOL: The 1st day of school can be intimidating for new learners The first day of school can be daunting for both students/learners and educators/teachers alike. For Learners, particularly those that are starting big school (Grade 1), the stage is very big compared to their pre-schools. For educators, they are faced with getting to know, teach and assist new people they know nothing about after having spent an entire year connecting with another group of learners. they are also faced with the challenge of getting learners to get along well with one another. How parents could help children cope better on their first school day- Tell them all the other kids are also new and have the same feelings - He/She may make friends on the first day, or they may not make them and it's okay. Sometimes making friends takes time. - There's also rejection - they do not want to be friends with someone who doesn't want to be friends with them. - If you cry, tell them why you are crying and I hope it's because you are happy to see your kid starting school or being in a school uniform. Never say anything about losing your baby because you haven't and that will scare the child. - Teach them that they can make friends by approaching other kids, introducing themselves and asking if they can join them - and it's okay if the other kid is not in the mood - Make sure you do not embarass your child by not having the right uniforms or not having all the stationery. Boost your child's confidence and plan everything in advance. - Tell them a story about your own first day at school many moons ago - how you were so scared and are now laughing when you look back at it. How teachers can help children cope better on their first school dayDo not come on too strongly on the learning part. It can be too daunting for the fear-filled Grade Ones. Do enjoyable activities to calm the nerves and without putting children on the spot or evoking stage fright, ask them questions about themselves that are not embarassing nor difficult to answer. - Pair the learners in twos and let them ask each a specific set of questions. then ask the one to introduce the other. - Give each a list of 5 questions to answer about themselves and perhaps also about how they feel about being at school - and share that with everyone. - Tell them a story about your own first day at school - how you were so scared and are now laughing when you look back at it. Let the freshmans know that you understand,and that it is only normal to feel overwhelmed, so they don't feel nervous about the fact that they are nervous.
|
