Mumsnet users share with Disney Junior how they prepare their child for their first day of school

[EllieMumsnet]

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The first day of primary school is an exciting milestone and also fairly nerve-wracking for both children and parents alike. Many questions may run through your mind, such as, ‘Will my child make new friends? Will they get along with others? What type of day are they having? Preparing your child for their first day of school, can be a great way to ensure a smooth transition. From giving them guidance on how to make friends, to practising the school routine and helping them get ready can provide them with confidence for their first day. Disney Junior, together with Vee, heroine of the Disney Junior series Vampirina would love to know your tips for preparing your child for their first day of school and how you encourage them to make new friends.

Here’s what Disney Junior have to say about Vampirina: “Vampirina (AKA Vee) and her family of vampires have moved to Pennsylvania to open the very first Scare B&B. Despite being new to the neighbourhood and a bit nervous, this little girl has no trouble making friends and having fun. Meanwhile her mum, Oxana does a fabulous job at juggling the roles of a full-time mum and owner of the spookiest B&B in town! Your little one can watch Vampirina every day at 17.30 on Disney Junior!”

Watch the video below: a guide to making friends; as told by 5 year olds:

Do you explain the importance of caring and looking out for others to help them make new friends? Perhaps you try get as much information from the new school as you can about what the first day will be like? Maybe you work on independence and being able to do little tasks by themselves such as tying their own shoes? Or do you try to meet up with others who are attending the school so your child knows a few familiar faces?

Whatever your tips are for preparing your child for their first day of school, share them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw, where three lucky winners will win a £100 Disney Store voucher plus a Vampirina goody bag for back to school.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

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We read a book about starting school and practiced putting on DS's uniform in the weeks before he started.

My son has always been very visual, so close to the start (around two weeks) I give him a whiteboard calendar so he can see how many sleeps and he can cross them off.

He also had his own “check list” of things he needs which we wrote together, which included things like: New bag, shoes, coat, uniform, water bottle etc. Once these have been ticked off it stopped that first day worry that something is missing or has been missed, as he could refer to his check list and be confident he had everything he needs.

We discussed regularly about making new friends, practised hanging his coat on the hook with his bag, using the toilet and discussed how lovely his new teacher was (we had already met her). She gave everyone a little book she made with pictures of the classroom so he was already familiar with the look / layout too which was fantastic!

My dd2 is about to start, we have been doing lots of play dates with children in her year, looking at pictures of staff so they are familiar and encouraging her to dress herself independently :)

We walked by school a few times to get dd used to the playground etc and spike a lot about it over the last week of holidays. Warnings days in advance like a verbal countdown - actually wish we had also done visual to be honest! The day before we packed her bag (she had alsohelped choose her school.shoes, bag and pencil case in the shops) and the morning she goes back we packed lunch together at breakfast time so she knows what's in there. I also draw a wee loveheart - a tiny square- and laminate with sticky tape and pop it in her pocket to remind her she's ok/I'm with her/I love her. I think it helps with anxiety.

We practised putting on and taking of school uniform, fastening and unfastening shoes, putting on their coats and zipping it up. Both my children went to nursery at the school they started at so they already had quite a few friends.

Some great posts on here already. I’m not sure what there is left to say after pathetic nurses’ post! And chalka.

I think there is quite a lot of focus on the practical and physical challenges of starting school though, and actually I think it’s really important to make sure they have had a really fulfilling time in the holidays beforehand. So plenty of outdoors time to contrast with the being cooped up in a classroom, plenty of family time if the new school routine is going to mean less time all together. I think this time of childhood is so short that if school is going to mean limits on things like having lunch at granny’s, make sure you get a few in before the limitations of school life start closing in.

A few days before back to school we get into the routine by getting up earlier, having breakfast and getting dressed straight away. I've been talking to my daughter about how it's ok to ask for help when you need it.
We'll be getting her book bag ready soon and talking about all the exciting things that will soon be happening, learning to read, making lots of friends, forest school, the list goes on and on! She seems very excited and can't wait to start!

This is mental. Sorry but my 2 oldest went from nursery to P1 without any of this rigmarole. They are now in 4th yr at high school and P7. My youngest starts P1 next year and I expect to do the same with her, nothing at all. Velcro shoes obviously (and shouldn’t have to be said but hey, no nappies) but that’s it. What a load of scaremongering to parents who don’t know what to expect.

I didn't make too much of a big deal about it - very matter of fact. My DS unfortunately went to primary without knowing anyone, but had some tours, gave him an idea of what would happen on the day and didn't psyche him up too much. It worked well for him. I think the children find it harder when the parents show they're upset too.

Try to make sure the simple things like being able to dress themselves, count to 10 etc helps make the transition easier.

Prep with anti- nit shampoo & spray conditioner, have decent nit comb on standby! Take photos of any letters/invites etc. as you will inevitably lose them!

We know a few families with children starting reception as my eldest is already at school, so I made sure my child met a few children who will be in her class. We talked about school often during the summer, explained how the days would be like, and tried to teach her to be more independent in terms of dressing, hygiene etc. I am not too worried about the academic side of things, more the social side!

I used books to talk about school and took them walking to and from their new school before starting.

Talk about it, get them into a good sleep routine :)

preschool is a huge help, my son met other children who wold be in the same class and he got used to school day routine there.
Also settling in days prepare them very well for their new environment.

Practiced getting the uniform on and walked to the school a few times to get them used to the journey. The hardest part was the first day. But as soon as they made friends and started to enjoy going. We both were relieved.

I encourage my daughter to ask questions about going to school and have been driving her to the school a few times and show them where it is.

The school had a teddy bear picnic which helped a lot as they met little friends. Our local comminity soft play also put on a gathering of children starting each of our local primary schools on different days which was super exciting!!
Personally I used to talk about it all the time, these are the fun things you will do in school. I also let him pick out his school supplies and we got a couple of books for night time reading about starting school.
The key is to talk about it lots and bring it into their life so it is not new and scary.

just involving them in discussions about school and letting them choose thier bags etc

By being full of encouragement, talking about what to expect, to walk with her to school and help her introduce herself to potential new friends and to ask her to do her best and I said how proud I am of her

I prepare before so we go clothes shopping to get the uniform to make it special.. A new bag and shoes. Then we get back into a routine (try too) I have three children at different schools it's hard. We read books to settle down and watch films for binding time on the nights. Then mornings alarm goes off I get one child up first then the next two I have breakfast on the go uniform is always ready to put on with bags and shoes all together.. Always brush teeth and what not before coming down no TV just music. Packed lunch some can be made the night before. Always plan to leave at the same time. Just making sure everything's ready for the next day is so much easier 😊

practising getting dressed and undressed for when they get changed for P.E

discuss their worries and fears as well as expectations during the run up to the big day

My ds is a September baby so he was 5 the day before he started school, more than ready. He was a little anxious about it, and the schools transition was really good. Half days for the first week, 2 mornings and then 2 afternoons. And then instead of waiting on the playground and the line up tears 😭 we went into the classroom every morning, helped them choose lunch and settle them at an activity.

I've had a few tears in the past from my dc and the best thing to do is to give them a hug, tell them you'll be back after they've played with the toys and hand them to the teaching staff. It's hard, but don't hang around it makes it worse for you and them

Tbh i never had to prepare my youngest. She couldn't wait to start because she wanted to learn instead of play with toys. She hasn't changed. Toys are an afterthought. Give her something that challenges her mind. It's proving successful especially from her recent KS1 SATS results!