Wean your child for school

Even before birth, a baby and the mother develop a bond that only grows to greater heights when the baby is born. As days go by, and the baby achieves developmental milestones day by day, his dependence on his parents for his survival creates an inseparable connection. He learns to associate security and provision of his needs with his parents.

Then time comes for the child to join school and he may find it hard to associate with his age mates, especially if he never created friendships outside his home. This may hinder him from enjoying school, deterring his learning progress.

Then it becomes necessary for a child to acquire the rightful academic and social skills before joining kindergarten. Parents can assist in the following ways:

Be the first coach
It works best for your toddler to have a starting point in academics, before joining other students in class. As a parent, you can assist by helping him identify colours. Buy simple alphabet books or toys and encourage him to practice with them.

You can also teach him colours by pointing to items in the house and saying out their colours, for example ‘blue cup’ or ‘pink mat’. That way when he is taught in school, he is able to quickly associate it with what he has learnt at home.

Another way to teach them is by reading out simple books to them, especially the ones with diagrams, then encouraging the child to go over details of the story again. That way they learn to associate basic words with certain pictures, thus enhancing quick learning while they are in school.

Answer their questions honestly and interestingly. They tap into your knowledge base by getting most of their questions answered, thus feeling ready to face the rest of the world. It also helps them still their anxiety about getting into a new environment. Help him to recognise the letters that make up his name by writing them in big letters and placing them within his reach.

Buy him books and encourage him to write the letters as he sees them. All in all, do not shout or reprimand the toddler if he cannot remember what you taught him a few days ago. Most children need a repeated lesson taught with patience before they grasp the seemingly simple concepts.

Let them socialise
Parents should encourage their youngsters to befriend age mates in church meetings, while shopping, at social gatherings, with relatives and even neighbours. This way they learn how to relate with students when they finally go to school. But even at times, some children find difficulty in initialising friendship. If so, reassure him by letting him know you are in the vicinity. You may invite his friends to play at home, which is familiar ground to him. Remember not to pressurise him towards his progress in making friends: every child has his own pace.

Allow him independence
You can let your child start doing simple tasks at home such as keeping his toys safely when he is through playing, or tiding up his room. Teach him how to dress himself by letting him button up his shirt or put on his shoes: allow him to buckle or tie up the strings. Learning to be independent will help him cope with being alongside other children in school without him feeling neglected.

Develop a routine
While in school, there will be a timetable to follow and you can orientate him to working on a schedule by developing a routine for meal and sleeping times. If the child is expected to nap in the afternoon, let him start doing so at home.

The last few days
Just before your child goes to school, pass by the school to familiarise him with the surrounding. Allow him to see others going for their classes and also having fun playing together. Talk to your child every day and listen to his fears so that you address them accordingly.

END: BL25/8