Only those who are not mothers could possibly not know what it means to have your heart in knots for hours on end, counting the seconds for the school day to end. After giving your child a tight hug and a big kiss—which often happens when they’re so excited about their first day of school that they barely say goodbye—you walk away anxious, imagining how they will deal with new friends and a new teacher.
Schools and teachers have excellent strategies to capture the little ones’ attention and make them want to come back the next day. Of course, there are those who do not feel secure away from their mothers at first, especially if it’s the first day of school in their lives. With these children, it is absolutely necessary to have a bit more patience and care so that, instead of sparking interest and excitement, you don’t traumatize them and turn going to school into a torture session.
The first day of school isn’t easy for anyone—be it small children, adolescents, or even teachers. After all, it’s a day to meet those with whom you’ll spend an entire year sharing your life and learning new things. Affinity may happen right away, or it may take a few days or months, or it simply may not happen at all. After all, there are so many different children, with different personalities and upbringings, and while this may cause some friction, it can also be a valuable lesson for someone who is developing their character.
Learning to deal with differences is fundamental for any human being, so school goes beyond doing lessons, playing, and learning new things. School is a place to learn to socialize, live with other people, and especially to learn how to share.
Crying When Going to School – What to Do?
And every day, when it’s time to put on the uniform and go to school, the show begins. Tears, tantrums, meltdowns, and so on become part of the routine, leaving not only the child stressed but also the mom, dad, or guardian taking them to school. What should you do in such a situation?
If the child has never been to school before, it’s understandable that they are not yet used to the new routine, and patience, lots of patience, will be essential for adapting to this new phase. Lots of conversation and encouragement need to become part of the day-to-day, especially after each return from class. Parents and guardians should never show insecurity or sadness when leaving them at school, as this can generate even more fear and even make them think you won’t come back to get them. Encourage them to talk about and remember the teachers’ names, their friends, and what they did during the day. Help them see how nice and fun it is to be at school, sharing their time with other children. In cases where children are starting at a new school after moving, for whatever reason, it’s a bit more complicated. The child starts the year frustrated, knowing they won’t see their old friends anymore or live their former school routine, which is why lots of communication and support from the new school will be needed.
For younger children, the adaptation period is essential for getting to know the teachers, new friends, and also the new environment. Some may feel stimulated within the first few days and adapt easily, while others might have more difficulty accepting change. A good conversation with the teacher about the challenge of leaving the child at school may help. That way, not only can the parents encourage the child to accept the new routine, but teachers can also be more attentive in helping them feel more at ease and happy to be with the new group.
One thing is certain: patience must prevail in any situation or case, as, over time, the child will adapt to the new space and new life. Some parents even give up taking their children to school, thinking they’re not ready to face it and end up postponing a situation that will need to be faced sooner or later. So face the situation head-on and get through this stage with lots of love, patience, and above all the certainty that it will soon come to an end.
Also see: Montessori Method – Learning without Limits
Photo: Francisco Osorio, Philipp Nordmeyer
