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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Practice putting their coat and shoes on and off.

Talk about it lots, go for settling in days and try to get them into a school with their friends. Make sure it is an exciting thing not a worry.

It's a bit more complicated for us because our son is non verbal and autistic so we use social stories and read about starting school and making friends. We have had visits to the school and trial days as well as meeting lunch staff.
It helps his sister is older and goes to school so we talk about how much fun it is. We also practice putting on the uniform so it's all comfortable explaining that when he wears this he is going to school. It's very exciting but we are all very nervous fingers crossed it goes well. We also have rewards ready for each good week.

Mine all went into the foundation unit at the school at the age of 3 and then the reception class was part of the same unit so transition was smooth. At three they think they are going in to play, so we just talked about all the children they would be able to play with and they were excited. My eldest tried to take a pencil case to play group at the age of two though- she was born ready for school! Also. the beauty of a foundation unit at school is that if your children are close in age they overlap, which happened with us. For a year DD and DS1 were together, with DD being in reception and DS1 being a part time nursery pupil and then the same happened for two terms when DS1 was in reception and DS2 started at nursery.

make sure they have plenty of rest and spend a few days before getting back into a routine. Also make sure they have a good brekki before you go and the night before sort out their uniforms, bags and shoes ready for morning

I've talked as much as possible about her starting school so hopefully she will be excited rather than nervous

Both mine had preschool first so it wasn't too hard but the week before we started to get up at the time needed and also prepped kit early so that they knew what they would have to take.

My children went to nursery, and I think that helped a lot, but we did lots of things in preparation for the big day.Made sure they could dress & undress for P E., could put shoes on correct feet ( Velcro fastening). We talked about going to school and learning new things and I'm pleased to say I had no problems with my 3

I think mixing with other children in preschool or other groups who are likely to go to the same school really helps. Be very positive about them going to school and talk about what to expect. Help them to be independent in dressing and eating etc.

We've been talking about it for ages and making it sound like a huge adventure

By talking about it long befoe it happens by walking past the local school while the kids are out to play and by reading books like topys and times first day at school. I also point out thing in shops like school bags and lunch boxs and say when you are a big girl/ boy you can choose one of these. Its like everything else just make it part of normal life and bulit up to it slowely.

We practiced dressing ourselves and putting on our shoes.

get the shopping in early

For us, its by getting ready nice and early the start of the firsts day, as well as having lots of positive conversations around school and the things to look forward too

I started talking to him about school , took him to the adjoining park at the end of the day so he could see the children coming home . Extended his playgroup day to stay for his lunch .
I dropped him off for his taster session , he was so excited but as soon as the teacher said take a book and sit down he cried his eyes out , I was so worried but when I picked him up he was fine - I asked why he cried and he said - I though I had got to read the book and I can’t read !

We bought some starting school books such as Topsy and Tim and watched Cbeebies programmes about it.
On a practical level we encouraged being able to cut with a knife and fork for school dinners and making sure she could change out of her clothes for changing for PE.
I tried to make sure she knew about how things would work but without too much information overload!

Making sure they could dress themselves for pe

Having picnics with their new lunchbox to make sure they could open it, open any tubs/yogurt etc inside, getting them in the routine of eating certain things before others

Playing schools with their toys so that things like sitting quietly, putting your hand up etc weren't new to them

Getting them up at the same time every day, despite not having to be anywhere

stationery shopping and interactions with groups of children at a young age

Take them shopping for new uniforms, shoes, bags etc and get them into a positive vibe so they look forward to seeing their friends again. Start getting them back into the morning routine a few days before term starts to let them re adjust after the long summer break.

We practised getting dressed in uniform and PE kit

Make sure they know the school by visits. Start a routine a week before the holidays are up.

Talk about it and sound enthusiastic. If they can walk there with another child they know that sometimes helps.

Talked about it a lot to him and got him excited that he will finish school at the same time as his cousin! He was already attending the nursery attached to the school and he knows the teachers there already. He is September born and a social butterfly, so I don't worry about him making freinds. We been mostly focusing on the importance of good listening and turn taking. Raising his hands up if he has any questions.

I purchased my children's uniform early so they could try it on whenever they wanted over the summer. We also borrowed some children's books from the local library on the topic of starting school which were very helpful.

Getting the uniform and all the necessary things ready and most importantly, being supportive and encouraging.