Who else has kids starting Prep this year?

[aussienic]

As the title suggests

How are you feeling?

I am feeling a little sad but excited for my little man..

I am concerned he will be upset the first few days. He hasn't been in daycare or anything except for a few days when we tried it out back in 07 to see if he would do ok and he didn't so we stopped..

We talk about school but not to much and he has his uniform already and isn't even that keen to try it on.

How are you preparing them for the big day?

[Ryatha]

My DD is starting as well this year.

However we might be a bit different, she started daycare at 4 months and has been there since. She is looking forward to school very much as we have been telling her she will be making new friends and learning lots of new things. She also knows now that she will get to do things at school that she doesn't get to do at home or daycare.

DH and I have a very positive attitude about school and DD seems to be picking up on that. Maybe you could try to do that with your DS and if you are nervous try not to show him. I know that my DD is a little mirror and will show what ever emotions I feel, so if I am worried, she will be too.

DD and I have also done role plays to help her understand that the rules will be a little different at school and what expectations they have for her. She has really enjoyed the interaction and it was a bit hard to stop and make dinner.

But good luck with how to help ease him into the mindset - let me know if you want more suggestions.

[aussienic]

I try not to show him I am nervous.. I speak in an upbeat tone when talking to him,. I even talk about my first day at school and his older brothers first day..

The hard part is that I know I will cry so I need to try and hold that in.. I will prob go and help his brother settle in and let dh settle him in.. He doesn't need to see me upset..

[~breeze~]

whats prep? My daughter starts pre-school today, is that the same? (she goes to BIG school next year)

[aussienic]

Prep is the grade before yr 1..

used to be pre school in QLD but now they go 5 days a week normal school hours..

[~breeze~]

oh, ok... in NSW thats called kindy, although DD was in "kindy" class at daycare last year & now "pre school" class at the same daycare then next year she'll be in "kindy" at primary school.

Thanks

[aussienic]

Why can't it just be the same all over Australia.. It irratates me things vary from state to state..

[AliBaby]

Oh what a special time for you and your little man.

I am sure it is exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Such a big milestone in both of your lives.

I am a primary school teacher and have taught kindy the past 3 years. Some things that might help your little man for school...

- start packing a lunch box for him at home during the day (while you are both on holidays). Make it a fun thing and get him used to eating out of it and getting it out of his school bag (if you have it yet). This will help when he has to independently do this at school.

- Have a few play days with some other children who are DD's age if you can to get him used to interacting with other children. If your child doesnt make friends on the first day, first week, first few weeks, don't worry! Kids are quite shy at the beginning of school and they are all getting used to one and other and getting to know each other.

- Have you been up to the school yet? You could make a few trips there in the holidays. Just walking up to school, walking home again.

- Talk about school in a positive, enthusuastic way.

- If you are upset, nervous try not to show it to your little man. He will pick up on your vibes and feel this way as well. Try and save it for when he is not around.

- Have a special uniform day at home so that he will be used to wearing his school uniform and excited about it.

- On the first day, if he is upset and is holding on to you, bring him into the class, stay for 5-10minutes and then as hard as it will be for you both LEAVE! He will be fine and so will you, go home and have a cry or if you meet some other mums from your child's class ask them if they want to grab a coffee so that you can talk about how you are feeling together.

I have put a link for you which has some info for helping you and your child prepare for school. Helping your child prepare for their first day - NSW Department of Health

I hope that helps. If youneed any other advice or help feel free to ask or PM me.

Good luck to both of you.

[aussienic]

Thanks for that..

thankfully he makes friends reasonably easy.. he is very confident there..

The one thing he is super excited about is that they have computers at school lol.. his older brother always gets to go on the comp so he is pleased he will have some for himself lol..

We went to nearly every prep day so he would know where he was going ect..

His teacher is the same teacher my son had for his first year at school..

[MumGirlsDF]

My eldest is starting Prep this year & I am a little nervous.

I am so unorganised.. LOL.. Have to go get her school uniforms this weekend...and the school books & new shoes... OMG.. So much to do... I think I am more nervous than she is...

[AliBaby]

Sounds like it will be a great start for him then. Keep us updated on how you guys go.

[mrsmac]

Alibaby said it all beautifully!! I am starting Kindergarten (NSWs prep) this year as a teacher LOL Haven't taught it for ages but I am really looking forward to it. Have you got kindy this year Ali?? Are you doing Best start??
Good luck Nic, I am sure he will be fine. At our school the Yr1 mums organise "Tea and Tissues" in the hall when the kindys start so that the mums can have a cry and also meet other mums.

[AliBaby]

How exciting being back on kindy MrsMac! I love kindy- so much fun and so rewarding as a teacher to see how much they learn and grow in one year!

I am on kindy again this year. Will be going back for the few couple of weeks before I take 6mths maternity leave and then will be job sharing with the teacher who will have my class while I am on leave. We are doing Best Start this year. I will have to assess my class at the beginning of the year as the teacher who is sharing with me hasn't done the training.

[mrsmac]

Are your kids starting late because of it? Ours are coming in to be assessed individually then starting on the 2nd Wednesday.

[aussienic]

My eldest is starting Prep this year & I am a little nervous.

I am so unorganised.. LOL.. Have to go get her school uniforms this weekend...and the school books & new shoes... OMG.. So much to do... I think I am more nervous than she is...

I handed the school list into the newsagency saves me a lot of stress.. We just pick it up around the 20th

I am more worried that Isaac will just be so upset. I can't stand the thought of him crying all day. and yes thats what he did at daycare I know it takes time to settle.. I am hoping having his older brother there will help..

Will they allow Ethan to come and see Isaac during the day if he is upset? Ethan will be in yr 5

[mrsmac]

They should be able to see each other in the playground although we don't encourage them to play too much with older siblings as it stops them developing friendships with their peers. If I were his teacher and he was really upset and not settling I would prob get Ethan down form his class to help settle him.

[aussienic]

Thanks for that.. I know they have separate play and eating areas depending on your grade. I think prep to 3 have one area and 4-7 another..

I will ask his teacher on the first day if it is ok..

[mrsmac]

Don't tell Isaac that if he's upset Ethan will come cause that is a sure fire way of making him upset to get Ethan! We always say to mums never tell them if you feel sick tell the teacher and she will get mum to pick you up cause then they do it LOL Just tell him that Ethan is at the school and he loves it etc.
Our school has all the school together in the playground as we only have 375 kids.