Writing for life

When they’re born human babies are 100% reliant on their parents for everything short of drawing breath. We feed them, we clothe them, we cater to their every whim. The utter dependency of this tiny bundle of humanity you’ve brought into the world puts incredible demands on you… but it also builds an unbelievably strong bond.

So strong, in fact, that it can be difficult for parents to accept that as our children grow up they need us less and less. Young children develop at an astonishing rate; before long they’re holding their heads up without our support, then rolling over onto their tummies. In no time at all they’re crawling, tearing around the place with abandon and generally getting into mischief. Of course they still need us, they rely on us, but not quite to the same degree as they used to.

Certain milestones in a child’s life highlight this inexorable fact more than others. Their first steps, for example, or the first time they tie their own shoelaces. But perhaps the most heart rending of them all, for parents and for children, is when they go to school for the very first time.

The girls are going into their third year of school this September. I still can’t believe how quickly Junior Infants and Senior Infants flew by. Now they’re heading into First Class – when they’ll start tackling the curriculum proper – another milestone.

I remember their first day at school like it was yesterday… the excitement, the anticipation, the trepidation – and naturally the occasional tear. There’s something very final about that moment when they cross the school threshold for the first time: they’re moving into a new era of their lives, and for the first time it doesn’t directly involve you.

While we can’t go to school with them, there are plenty of things we can do to help prepare them for their big day, and to make the transition from home to school and back again a smooth one. Perhaps the most important of these is a positive attitude. You may well be worried sick about little Joe’s first day in the classroom – but the last thing you want to do is let him sense that.

Engaging with children is a vital skill for any parent – and by the time school comes around most of us have had plenty of practice. Children are generally thrilled at the prospect of finally going to “Big School”, and chances are they’ve already been talking about it for weeks. If not, try introducing school into your daily conversation. Remember to be up-beat and positive about it all, and you’ll be amazed how quickly they pick up your vibe.

It’s important to involve children in every facet of the preparation for school. Make a point of taking them with you to shop for their new school uniform, or to pick out their school books and stationary. Instead of turning into a parental chore, covering books can become a special “art project” the week before school. The more you involve them, the more children will start thinking about school in a positive way.

Another good idea before school starts is to give your little tearaway plenty of opportunity to interact with other children. When starting school one of the biggest challenges children face is getting to grips with a whole new set of social rules, and learning to get along with other children. You can help them to develop their social graces by encouraging things like sitting quietly, listening and asking politely – but when it comes to dealing with other kids the best preparation is plenty of practice.

When the big day arrives, you’ll probably be more nervous than your son or daughter is at the prospect. Just remember it’s all part of growing up: an important stepping stone for them… and for you.

Technorati Tags: starting school, parenting, children