Family eagerly prepares for the day their child goes to school
The first days at school often bring many emotions for both children and parents. While children may be shy and worried when having to be away from loved ones, parents are also nervous, hoping that children will soon get acquainted with teachers, friends and a new lifestyle.
Ms. Hoang Ngoc Lan (Hanoi) said that her daughter is in 1st grade this year (6 years old) and is still quite shy in the face of the new environment. In the early days of coming to class to get acquainted, she was not familiar with the teacher or friends, so sometimes she burst into tears and clung to her parents.
My daughter is quite well-behaved at home but a bit shy. In the early days of school, she was still crying and didn't want to leave her mother. The family encouraged and told her about the school, the teacher and the activities in class so that she felt more familiar," Ms. Ngoc Lan shared.
Before her child officially went to school, her family also prepared clothes, backpacks, school supplies and gradually got her child used to the new living hours. For her, the important thing is to make her child feel that going to school is not too sudden a change.
Sharing the same feeling, Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha (Hai Phong) said that her son is 6 years old this year, preparing to enter 1st grade. He is quite excited to prepare a backpack, clothes and new supplies, but sometimes still worried because he is about to leave his parents.
My child asked me if I could go home from school, if I could meet my mother. I often tell my child about what will happen in class so that she can imagine in advance. I want her to see this as a new experience, not something scary," Ms. Thu Ha said.
For many parents, preparing for the first day of school is therefore not only about buying supplies but also a process to help children get used to the feeling of being away from their parents and entering a new environment.
How to help children reduce fear when going to school for the first time
According to psychologist Hoang Anh - Voice of Therapist Office, before children start going to school, the most important thing is not to help children "not be afraid", but to help children feel safe and know that they can overcome that fearful feeling.
For young children, having to leave their parents for the first time, entering a completely new environment, meeting strangers and having to follow new rules is a very big change. Therefore, anxiety, fear, crying or clinging to parents are psychological reactions that can appear naturally," psychologist Hoang Anh analyzed.
Parents should prepare children gradually with specific experiences, instead of just saying: "I'm very happy at school, there's nothing to be afraid of.
Parents can learn about the school, class, and teacher with their children in advance; let their children get used to being away from their parents for short periods of time; tell their children what a day at school will be like," said the psychologist.
Parents can also play the "going to school" game with their children to practice in situations such as saying goodbye to parents, going to class, playing with friends, eating lunch, sleeping at noon and waiting for parents to pick them up.
In particular, parents need to listen and name their child's emotions. For example: "Mom knows you are worried because tomorrow you have to go to a new place and you are not by my side. You may be worried, but I will help you get used to it little by little.
This feedback helps children understand that their emotions are accepted, and at the same time forms the belief that they may be afraid but they can still do it," said expert Hoang Anh.
