The new school year is almost here and children will be stepping up into the new classes. There will be lots of children entering the school system for the first time and this is a huge deal. Even if they are looking forward to it, there might be anxiety. New friends, new teachers, new experiences. It can be daunting. Let’s have a look at some top tips for the big event and also some first day at school gifts for those new starters.
First Day At School Gifts
A little gift on the first day of school can be a great idea. It is a wonderful way to mark this milestone and make your little stars feel excited and loved. We’ve put together some ideas for you.
New School Bag
A brand new school bag is a great idea for first day at school gifts. You don’t have to spend a fortune on bags, you can get a decent backpack in their favourite colour for around £5. Of course, they might have spotted a bag with some of their favourite things n it. Maybe from the NERF brand or LEGO. Perhaps Barbie or something with unicorns on it? A backpack can be a great connection to home and to you, as ou gifted it to them.
A New Coat
Kids need new clothes as they grow so quickly. How about a new coat for the new season? The new school year begins at the start of September when the seasons are changing and Autumn is on the way. A nice warm coat or jacket will help them to stay warm, dry and look great too.
A Pocket Hug
Next on our list of first day at school gifts is perfect for many kids. If your children are worried about being away from you, a pocket hug is a wonderful idea. YOu can buy them online or make them yourself. They are little wooden pieces with writing on. It’s something you give your child and when they are feeling anxious or missing you, they can hold it in their hand and know that you love them. They can simply keep it in their pocket for times of worry. Maybe you could get two so you keep one in your pocket too?
A Small Toy To Play With When They Get Home
Over the summer holidays, your children have probably pointed out things they would like to buy from the shops. They might have seen adverts on the TV or physically picked up items from the shelves at the supermarket. Giving them a small toy that they can enjoy when they return from their first day is a fun idea they’ll love. They’ll also be able to think about it all day which might help them get through that first day back.
Top Tips For The Big Event
The first day of school can be hectic, especially after a relaxing summer holiday. Putting a few things into place and planning for the day, can make that first morning run much more smoothly as everyone gets used to the new routine.
Be Prepared & Organised
The last thing you want to do is rush around on the first day of school and build up extra stress. Ensure that the uniform and school shoes are ready, you have what they want for breakfast and that lunch is easy to make if they have a pack up. Set an alarm so you get up in plenty of time and get showered and dressed. Then you can be there to help the kids get ready, get fed and get out the door in plenty of time. Give yourself plenty of time for the school run so you don’t have to throw them through the school gates to be on time.
Make Sure You Have Practised
Speaking of the school run, be sure you have done this at least once for any children that this is new. The familiarity will help on the day itself. The building won’t seem quite as big as they’ll have seen it before and you can even stand at the gates and play a game of I-spy so they can identify different things on site. The playground, the classrooms, maybe even the door where they’ll be dropped off and collected from each day.
Reassure Them
Reassurance is needed. Children often let their imagination run away with them. They might think that you are dropping them off and won’t pick them up. Break it down for them that it’s just a couple of hours in the morning, and then they’ll have a yummy dinner, before a couple more hours in the afternoon. Tell them you want to know everything they’ll have been doing and the names of the new classmates in their group. Tell them that the teacher is there to help them and can be trusted with any questions.
Don’t Be Late
Try your very best not to be late for pick up on the first day at school. They will have lots to tell you but they might also have been waiting all day to see you. If they are first in the line to leave but you aren’t there, this can be heartbreaking. Set off with plenty of time to spare to ensure you are there on time. This will mean you can greet them with a smiling face and a big hug, all ready to hear what they have been up to.
For The Parents
Don’t forget yourself in this process. You might have been with your child every day over the last four years or so. You’ve been their absolute constant and they have been yours. This is going to be a difficult day for you too. You might have a few tears, which is absolutely fine. Give yourself a few jobs to do on the day, to keep yourself busy. Make sure you have time for a cup of tea and some downtime too.
Be sure to take a photograph on the morning of the first day at school. You can even buy or create a poster or chalkboard for them to hold with their age, height, teacher, class and what they want to be when they grow up. This could be one of the first day at school gifts. These are fantastic to look back upon over the years. They were once tiny and wanted to be a policeman but suddenly, in a blink of an eye, they’ve shot up in height and want to be an engineer. Make some memories that you can look back on.
