Preparing your child for kindergarten

When your child walks into the classroom for the first time, she's dealing with conflicting emotions. On the one hand she's excited by the new experience, but on the other hand she's scared of being away from you. So your efforts should focus on getting her used to being with other people without your presence and on making her comfortable in her new environment. Here are some simple ways to help your child adjust to the school-going experience.

Before school starts
You want to lavish time and attention on your child in the weeks before school starts, but this is actually when he needs to start spending less time with you.

• Arrange with other parents to leave your child at their homes for a couple of hours and do the same for them. This teaches your child to play and share with others and builds up his confidence that you will return.

• Your child will accept your departure on the first day of school more easily if the classroom is somewhat familiar to him. Some school boards offer staggered enrolment and home or classroom visits to help children get accustomed.

• To familiarize him with the atmosphere, visit the school together around registration time or before school starts. You can also stop by the schoolyard on walks in the summer and play together on the swings and the jungle gym.

• Your child's routine is going to change dramatically, so ease him into it by briefing him on the things that will be required of him in class, such as listening closely, reading quietly, sitting still and hanging up his coat.

• Starting a week before the first day, have him get up and dress himself at the time he will once school starts. If this means he's getting up earlier, he should go to bed earlier.

• Also, teach your child how to put on his own shoes and how to put snacks into his book bag - some parents always pack the bag, and then the child doesn't know how to do it at school.

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