What does going to school mean for your child?

Children usually start primary school when they are 4 years old. And they are required to attend when they are 5. If your child has already attended childcare, they will be used to being away from home for longer periods. If not, going to school may be a new experience for both you and your child.

In any case, starting school is a major change that every child deals with differently. It may also take some getting used to for you as a parent. Some children cannot wait to go to school. Other children are more apprehensive. That is perfectly normal, because starting school involves a lot for children:

  • Their daily routine changes.
  • They have to learn to do things increasingly independently.
  • They encounter a larger number of children at the same time than they were used to.
  • The need to build friendships and find their place in the group becomes increasingly important.
  • They learn to focus more on others and to put themselves in others’ shoes.

Also read the page How do I prepare my child for starting school?

What does your child learn from going to school?

The new school environment is a good place for children to practise. They are encouraged to discover and try things out. As a result, in addition to school-related tasks and the curriculum, they learn many other things. Adapting to the new situation is easier for some children than for others. Your child may also get off to a good start and then temporarily have more difficulty with school, or the other way around. These kinds of differences in getting used to school are normal.

At school, children also have to learn many things at the same time, such as:

  • adapting to how the school days are structured.
  • carrying out instructions.
  • working and finding their place in a larger group.
  • concentrating better in order to work on a particular task for longer periods and complete it.
  • dealing with the teacher: an unfamiliar adult whom your child will see for an extended period. Someone with whom your child will form a bond and whom they will listen to.
  • dealing with the rules and boundaries that apply in the classroom and at school.
  • making friends with other children.
  • moving and playing together.
  • talking with and listening to many different children and adults.

How can you support your child’s academic development?

You support your child’s academic development by supporting them at home with what they are doing at school. You can do this by being positive about school. And by paying attention to everything your child does at school.

For example, consider the following:

  • The curriculum often covers the world around them. Therefore, it can help your child if you regularly introduce them to the world around them. You already do this by, for example, going to a shop together or taking a walk in the woods.
  • Language plays a role in much of what children learn at school. That is why it is beneficial for your child if you also practise this at home. For example, you can chat together while playing about the day and what you are doing. Singing and rhyming together are good ways to do this. Children also learn a lot about language by being read to.

Tips for supporting your child’s academic development

To help your child, you can do the following:

  • Talk to your child regularly about how things are going at school.
  • Be positive about school and show interest in everything your child does there.
  • During the initial period, practise together the things your child will have to do independently at school. For example, packing and unpacking their bag, going to the toilet, and getting dressed and undressed.
  • Provide a calm environment at home where your child can get enough rest after a school day.
  • Help your child with larger tasks they have to do for school, such as giving a presentation.
  • Do activities with your child related to what they do at school besides the curriculum. For example, go outside to exercise or make a craft together.
  • Occasionally take trips together with your child, for example to a petting zoo or the library. Discuss everything you see there.

Does your child not want to go to school? Or are you unable to get your child to school in the morning? Then it may be wise to seek help with this. It is often a good idea to start at the school itself, for example by talking to the teacher, internal coordinator or educational psychologist. If you find this difficult, you can ask a friend or family member to come with you.

Source: NJi.