Preparing Your Students for First Grade

1. Visit the School or Classroom Before the First Day

For over two years, we have been living in a socially distanced society, and remote learning has become the norm for many children. However, as the pandemic recedes, many schools are returning to in-class instruction. Visiting the school or classroom before the first day is important if your child is returning to in-person learning after periods of remote learning. 

Many parents and students may have never been to the school building, or they've only seen the classroom virtually. If your child’s teachers do not invite families to visit ahead of time, you can still take a trip to the school to see the building and the playground.

2. Take Summer Field Trips

Another way to prepare your child for their first day at school is with field trips. You can check out local museums, art galleries, and theaters to see what programs or exhibits are taking place. 

You can also take your child to a community center and find volunteer opportunities. Field trips expose children to various environments and help them prepare for the challenges of elementary school.

3. Read Books About Starting School

If your child is starting school for the first time, reading stories with characters your child can identify with, particularly those with characters attending their first day of first grade, can help alleviate first-day anxieties and increase confidence where needed. 

Spend time each night before bedtime with your child, reading aloud and asking them what they're feeling or thinking about the upcoming school year. Reading these stories is an excellent approach to empowering your child to embrace their feelings and who they are as they start their first week back at school.

Books are another way that your child can prepare for a rigorous elementary school curriculum. Schedule just 15 minutes of uninterrupted reading each day to prepare your child for comprehension exercises once they are in school. Soon, you’ll see your child’s vocabulary increase, helping them to understand an array of concepts in various school subjects.

4. Talk to Your Child About School

Social-emotional learning refers to how children develop healthy relations with themselves and with others. It’s a popular topic among educators and is being integrated into the curriculum in many school districts, as well as in students’ homes. 

When discussing back-to-school, you can get an understanding of your child’s feelings about going to school. Ask them questions like what they are looking forward to and what they are interested in learning, along with any concerns they might have.

5. Set Goals With Your Child for the School Year Ahead

Just like adults make resolutions for the new year, students can do the same for the new school year. Since children are still growing, new school year resolutions can empower them to change a behavior or work on a new skill. 

They teach kids how to set and work steadily toward goals. Specific goals will depend on your child's challenges, abilities, and interests, including social skills resolution, academic resolution,  and athletic resolution.

6. Go School Shopping

Shopping for "back to school," like an outfit or backpack, makes preparing for the school year a ritual and can boost excitement. You and your child can shop for new books and new school supplies during this time with the intention of starting anew and refreshing your child's mindset.

If you’re searching for high-quality Christian education in Asheville, Emmanuel Lutheran School provides a rigorous, Christ-centered education in a caring environment. Our elementary school program aims to prepare your child for the future by introducing them to a loving relationship with God. If you want to know more about our school, contact us and schedule your visit today.