Rehearse the First Day of School: Practice Makes Perfect! by Pepi Silverman

Whenever kids experience something new, apprehension can set in for them. Practicing what that new activity may be like can reduce that anxiety and set up the kids for success. A new school year involves many new activities, a new classroom, new locations within the school building, new schedules and new interactions with other students and staff. Families can support their children in these new tasks by requesting a school visit in advance of the start of the school year.

While the beginning of school may still be weeks, school personnel have already started to come back to their buildings to prepare. Principals work throughout the summer, so parents can call the school and set up an advanced school visit. Planning that school visit could include the following: 

• Visiting with the new teacher.
• Practicing with a new locker.
• Walking the new daily schedule.
• Bringing in school supplies.

As kids plan for the start of the school year with real-life experiences, positive feelings replace any worries of the “unknown.”