Starting School

[bednobs]

My daughter will be starting school in September (!) - i know, how did that happen??
Now we have an offer of a place (not first choice, but c'est la vie) it's all begnning to feel rather real. any advice from parents who have been there before? How did you prepare your little one for the big transition (or wasn't it very big?) how did you prepare yourself?
she will be doing breakfast club and after school club too, so will have possibly 3 different sets of new people to get to know.
None of her friends from nursery are going to the sme school.

[bednobs]

surely someone has some dvice. Please:)

[ummmm]

What is she like? Is she sociable?

Mine all took it in their stride.

[rockyracoon]

It's a toughie. Both of mine responding completely differently, one hated it and the other loved it. So they have a little induction day?

[bednobs]

in some ways she is shy. We had her birthday party last week, and she hated ll the eyes on her, and when the cake came and everyone was singingto her she just burst into tears!
However in other ways she's not all that shy, she likes telling people wht to do!

[Islay]

Is she at any form of nursery school at the moment?

Going on the girls at work the children who have found it easier are the well socialised that have attended social clubs and nurseries.

[pixie374]

She'll probably take it in her stride far more than you will :-). If she's been to nursery, toddler groups and all the usual things, she'll be well prepared anyway. If you know any parents with children who are starting at the same time, it might be worth inviting them round or meeting them somewhere. Mine all started fine and had a bit of a wobble maybe the second or third week when the novelty wore off a bit, but the schools are very aware and practised at reassuring them. Let her try on her uniform and PE kit etc, so she's familiar with it.

[bednobs]

yes she's been in full time nursery since 9 months

[EDDIE51]

All of ours , 5 children 12 grandchildren just took it all in their stride as well. No problems at all, the nursery had told them they would soon be going to 'Big school' and when the day came they just went happily into the new school. They all loved /love school and can't wait to go. The youngest of my grand kids age 4 cried when he got chickenpox, not because of the spots or feeling poorly but because he could not go to school!

[Buenchico]

Mumsnet to the rescue?
http://www.mumsnet.com/education/primary/starting-primary-school
(There are links to the Mumsnet forums on that page, as well as the basic hints that might help you).

[ummmm]

She'll probably be fine. She won't be the centre of attention.

[EDDIE51]

I am sure you are worrying too much, your daughter will just go to the new school without even noticing the difference. The nursery will have told leavers how much more there is to do at 'Big School' and they will be excited to go and see for themselves.

[Peter Pedant]

I first went to school in 1957 and it was down hill from there on

so I dont think I can help - o I remember being chained to the railings at some point

[bednobs]

im not sure the school she is going to chain the kids to the railings (although it is a faith school, so who knows!?

[ummmm]

She'll feel like a really big girl. You'll probably blub when you see her in her uniform. Uniforms make them look so tiny.

[rockyracoon]

My old man told me off for crying on the kids first day of school ;)
We worry far more than they do, I'm sure she'll be fine. If they do have an afternoon, perhaps see if you can invite some of her future class mates round to play.

[CupBuster]

My cousin's daughter was very shy before school. She was unsociable and uneasy. My cousin was worried about her daughter too much, so she even had found a pediatric psychologist. I know that cousin and her girl also got acquainted with future classmates. So the girl had no problems. But her mom was restless and anxious about her daughter. She even installed GPS tracker to her daughter phone. Something like this http://www.phonespyapps.com/gps-tracker. Maybe the information will help you to calm down too. Take it easy! Your girl will get used to school sooner than you think!