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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Fresh clothes, packed lunch and minimal drama!

having everything sorted the night before, keeping them calm and confident

By getting used to nursery on a ful time basis first.

It's harder for the parent than it is for the child.

Go through there bag with them to show them where everything is. Explain how the day will go and who to ask for help if they need it and to enjoy themselves. Plenty of reassurance is key

Get them excited about going by letting them choose their school bag and packing it with all their pencils and things and talking about it everyday in the run up to it!

Treat it like an adventure. Though the days will be more structured, and initially tiring, there will be a lot of new friends to make and experiences to enjoy.

About a week before they started to took the journey to school in the mornings so they could get used to where they would be going and they wanted to get involved with picking out their uniform in the shops.

Have a tour around the school beforehand and use a "time for school" countdown timer!

Lots of chatting and planning for the kids to get involved with. Make sure they are confident with going to the toilet washing their hands on their own. Also boost their confidence and let the know they are not to worry If they don't know the answer, after all they are there to learn

Picture / story books are good and something nice you can do together in the evenings. Make quiet time with no distractions so your child can talk through any worries they have.

Thankfully I dont have to prepare too much, my daughter loves school and is always excited to go back. I've always tried to teach her to be independent in regards to getting dressed and tying her shoes. Many older kids are too reliant on their parents I find.

We were lucky because the school had a nursery so they were already used to the school and the primary teachers came in on a few occasions. Making it exciting and bigging up the uniform and the excitement of school bags, pens, pencils etc helps but at the same time ensure they know what is expected of them. I attended library reading sessions to encourage them to sit still in a larger group setting. We played school and took turns being teacher and pupil and made a pretend classroom other work etc.

We have talked about making new friends and playing nicely with others. I have always attended playgroups and nursery schools to get the children used to being with others and playing with others,

lots of playing schools at home

Open conversations about what it's going to be like, what her day will be like and when I will be picking her up and hopefully meeting her teacher before hand so she knows her before being in a big class full of strangers

We organised a move up day party, where she got to dress up in her uniform and we acted out a day in her new class. She loved it!

Let them pack their bags, get uniform ready and get excited about seeing their friends!

letting them ask plenty of questions and being open and honest

Talk about it all the time, explain how their day is going to be :)

We did a couple of dry runs, so getting dressed in the uniform, packing the bag and lunch, and going to the school so he could familiarize himself with where the gym was, where was the cafetaria was, science block, etc. It meant he was confident in where he was going on his first day.

get excited for them otherwise they will feed off your fears/ Also plan something fun for the end of the first week

Lots of reassurance that it will be lots of fun and they'll make lots of friends.
Also letting them choose their bag, stationary etc seems to help.

I have been lucky with my two, they were already ready from going to nursery. They were both super excited beforehand with no worries or concerns. They are both super confident and trot straight into the building without any tears. I have got all their new uniform ready so we are raring to go in 2 weeks times

I talked to my little one about school and what sort of things she will be doing, I also let her watch YouTube videos on schools and other children's 1st day at school so she knows what to expect.