It's only 9 week until my little Caitlin goes to school for the first time.
It's a big deal.
Your child starting school has got to be one of the hardest things to deal with, as a parent, in a child's young life. Maybe even more so, when it is your youngest.
I've been through it all before, just a year ago, so it is all fresh in my memory. The big worry is their ability to cope. I wonder if she is ready to leave her mummy? I think the answer is probably yes, deep down I know she will thrive in school, she will love meeting all of her friends and learning lots of new things. I think the real question is am I ready, and I think the answer to that is probably a big, fat, NO!
It's a big step for a child. While they will get used to that routine, the first few days has got to be terrifying. Think of the last time you started a new job, or had to go in to a situation where you didn't know anyone, or anything. I'm sure you were nervous, in fact, last time I started a new job I was shitting myself on the first day! Now imagine that feeling, but for a 4 year old... it's huge for them!
I think the best thing you can do to help your child is prepare them, without making too big a deal out of it.
I recently received the 'I'm going to School' book from Buster Books, which is a fab little activity book to help your child prepare for school.
The little blurb on the back reads "Starting school is a big adventure. Page by page, this book will take you through all the things you can expect on your first day, from getting ready and finding your coat peg, to playing at break time and enjoying lunch time."
The book is full of colouring activities, and bright colourful pages to engage your child, and introduce them to some of the things they will be doing on their first few days at school.
Caitlin loved it, especially the part where she could draw her uniform. She decided her uniform would be pink socks, blue shorts, a green t-shirt and a big green bow in her hair. Much better than the real school uniform, if you ask me!
I'm very pleased with the book, it has kept Caitlin entertained when she's bored, and it's really helped us talk about the school routine in a fun way. I'm so impressed with the book that I've actually put in an order for a few more books from the buster books range.
The 'I'm going to School' book is available from amazon for £4 at the moment, and I think it's well worth a look if you have a child starting school soon!
I love reading all of your comments and getting to interact with all my readers so pop a comment in the section below and lets chit chat.
I hope she enjoys school, it's nice that your preparing her for the big change. Your so right it definitely is a big deal. I can't imagine what I'll feel like when it's my little ones time to start school! #MMWBH
ReplyDeleteSavour the time you have before your children start school because time seems to move so quickly!x
DeleteI'm sure she'll enjoy school, my son starts school for a full day in September and he can't wait! It makes them seem so grown up though doesn't it :( #MMWBH
ReplyDeleteEmma
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Yes it definitely makes them seem so grown up, where did our babies go?x
DeleteMy son will start Primary School and there a dinner last night and he knows few kids from his preschool so I would like to think that he will be okay. He is a bit scared of the principal though. #MMWBH
ReplyDeleteIt's god that he will know some people before he starts. I think all principals are a bit scary, it's part of the job description!x
DeleteI remember whe my oldest started school (nearly 15 years ago now!) I wasn't ready at all. In France they start at 3 and he was just a couple of weeks off 3...still 2!!! I remember thinking that up until then pretty much everything he'd ever learned had come from me, his dad and his grandparents and now it would be out of our hands. I found it hard. But he LOVED it! Be brave!!
ReplyDeleteWow, 3 is so young. I don't think I could have coped with that at all. It is quite scary to think that it is out of your hands a bit, up until a certain point children see their parents as the fountain of all knowledge but then when they start school there is suddenly a nice teach who seems to know everything instead, haha x
DeleteThis looks lovely! Boo is starting in September, too, and I can't believe how quickly that's come round!
ReplyDeleteIt comes around way too quick, you really have to enjoy every second because before you know it they will be grown up and off to uni, scary!x
DeleteAw, I hope she loves school. I can only imagine how difficult it is, but as you said, I'm sure she will love meeting and making new friends.
ReplyDeleteShe will absolutely love making friends x
DeleteGood luck and hope she enjoys school, gosh its 9 weeks till the end of summer as well
ReplyDeleteThanks. Haha that's a good point, hopefully 9 weeks of beautiful sunshine though :) x
DeleteMy eldest starts preschool in September she is so excited but I'm so gonna miss my little mini! I'm so used to having her around. Plus she starts at the same time as our new baby will be born so I'm really hoping she doesn't feel pushed out! It's such a big step for them isn't it although they probably don't put half as much thought into it as we do! Good luck with it I hope she loves it and you enjoy some me time x
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling the same, I'm used to pottering around the house with Caitlin while her brother is at school, what will I do without my little sidekick? Hopefully she won't feel pushed out, at least you will have something to occupy your time while she is away. It may be nice for me to have a few hours to blog while she is at school though x
DeleteWhat a cute book. My daughter had something similar before she went. It is probably a scarier prospect for the parents than the child when school begins. :)
ReplyDeleteI think maybe we think about it too much, children tend not to dwell on things and just do it, so I suppose it is scarier for us than them x
DeleteThis book looks lovely. I hope Caitlin has a wonderful school experience and thrives as she learns. Best of luck xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a bargain, I love the look of this book! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
ReplyDeleteWhat a great little book! My little girl will be starting Nursery at our local primary school this September! She will only just be three bless her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with #TriedTested
Ack she will love it and even though its insanely emotional for us as the parent, having to wave them off! She'll love every second of it. Its a whole new chapter in her life and such an adventure! I say all of this knowing when my youngest starts school I will be in BITS! haha!! Fabulous book too!!!! What a great idea. Thanks so much for linking up with #MMWBH xx
ReplyDeleteIt's only 9 weeks before my youngest lad goes to secondary school #gulp
ReplyDelete