This question is more often of concern to parents of first-graders who are just starting their school career, but with parents of older children, as well as children who have changed schools and are starting their studies in a new team, may face difficulties in adapting.
Although starting school is a joyous and anticipated event for most children, it is still a stressful event for any child. It takes time for a child to adapt to such a change in his life.
How can stress manifest itself? Some of its signs are visible externally – the child looks scared, often complains of headaches and abdominal pain, his sleep and appetite may be disturbed, mood swings, tearfulness and irritability may also occur.
It is important to understand that stress manifestations are not always clearly negative. It also happens that stress manifests itself in the fact that the child becomes surprisingly disciplined: he collects his briefcase in the evening, jumps out of bed immediately after the alarm goes off, tends to come to school in advance. A number of parents may be pleased with such an unusual discipline and responsibility in the behavior of the baby, but this may also indicate a serious anxiety of the child before school.
How can we help a student during the adaptation period, which lasts on average from 2 to 6 months?
1.Physical activity
Try to organize the child's leisure time in such a way that he compensates for his long sitting at the desk. This can be a visit to sports sections, a swimming pool, cycling or regular outdoor games in the yard. If possible, it is better to walk to school and back. And if the school is located nearby, you can leave early so that you can take a short detour and walk for an extra 15 minutes.On weekends, it is also advisable to devote most of your time to outdoor walks.
2. Sleep
It is very important that the child gets enough sleep during the adaptation period. Sleep is the key to good academic performance and endurance during academic activities. Try to follow the sleep schedule – put the child to bed at the same time, make sure that before going to bed the baby does not spend time playing exciting computer games or watching TV for a long time. Arrange the child's routine so that he has enough time before going to school. The child should not feel in a hurry and nervous, he should calmly pack up, have breakfast and get ready for the "working day".
3. The general attitude towards school in the family
Watch each other, the older generation, and family friends. What messages about school does your child hear? Whether you are in joyful anticipation or you think that "school is not the same anymore" and "what can be taught there" - the child absorbs like a sponge not so much what is said directly to him, but intonations and unintentionally overheard conversations of adults. Perhaps the best way for a child to cope with anxiety is to be optimistic about learning in general, with a calm understanding and acceptance of possible difficulties and unpleasant moments.
4. Study
For parents, their child's academic performance is one of the most important tasks. But the most important thing is to keep an interest in learning, learning, and acquiring new knowledge, so try not to blame the child for not doing well; do not compare your child with other, more successful children in any field, and do not scare him with twos. The most correct thing parents can do is to instill optimism and confidence in the child that everything (even if not immediately) will work out; be sure to listen to the child's stories about what he has learned, what he has learned, what he has drawn.
5. Psychological maturity
An equally important component of a child's readiness for school is his psychological maturity. At the time of admission to school, a child should be able to focus and hold attention at will, follow complex instructions, not be distracted, and stay engaged in a new learning activity. Such indicators as the pace of activity and the level of working capacity, the formation of spatial representations, regulatory and emotional-volitional components of the psyche are important.
At the European Medical Center, you can consult with specialists who will help you assess your child's psychological readiness for school and check his knowledge and skills. To answer the question of whether the child's current level of development meets the age requirements.
If necessary, a psychologist, a neuropsychologist, a speech pathologist and a psychiatrist at the Center will offer you a detailed consultation, hold a consultation with several specialists, or develop a program of correctional and developmental classes.
You will receive the opportunity for a comprehensive examination with the participation of doctors and psychologists, which will assess the child's somatic health, neurological status and psychological readiness for school.
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