Grade 1 is not only a learning milestone but also a major step in children's spiritual life. From a playful kindergarten environment to a disciplined learning space, children have to face a series of changes that if adults lack sophistication, invisible pressure can form right from the early days of schooling.
Children change significantly in psychology and behavior
Before the threshold of grade 1, many children begin to experience nervousness, anxiety, even fear. Some children become more shy, irritable, or cling to their parents more than usual. This is a natural reaction when children have to leave their familiar space, where they play a lot, to a new environment with a tight schedule and requiring compliance with regulations.
According to Dr. Laura Markham - a child psychologist, founder of Aha Parenting (USA), "when entering grade 1, children must learn to control behavior, pay longer attention and adapt to adult expectations. This creates psychological pressure that children do not have enough expressive skills for.
In parallel with psychological changes, children's behavior also has many changes. Children are starting to pay more attention to completing tasks, afraid of being criticized, comparing themselves to friends. Some children suddenly are no longer as carefree as before, easily sad when doing wrong things or when not being praised.
At this stage, if parents overemphasize achievements, force children to study before the program, or constantly remind "you are about to be a primary school student", children easily develop a psychology of stress, self-doubt, or fear of going to school.
Family plays a decisive role in adaptability
Experts believe that family is the "safe buffer zone" to help children enter 1st grade gently. Children need to be mentally prepared rather than knowledgely prepared. Forming regular living habits, basic self-service ability and communication skills are much more important than knowing how to read and write early.
According to Dr. Susan Engel - professor of psychology at Williams College (USA), "children adapt best when they feel listened to and are not expected to exceed their natural developmental ability.
Parents should talk to their children about school in a positive tone, tell them interesting things when going to school, and acknowledge their children's feelings of anxiety instead of denying them. Visiting the school with children, getting acquainted with the classroom, and letting children prepare their own school supplies also helps children be more proactive and confident.
Especially, in the first months of grade 1, parents need to be patient with "retroactive" signs such as children mumbling, not sleeping well, or forgetting lessons. This is not a sign of spoilage or laziness, but a normal adaptive response.
Entering grade 1 is a big journey for a young child. When adults are calm enough, understand and accompany in the right way, pressure will be transformed into motivation, helping children confidently step into the door of early learning with a safe and positive attitude.
