School drop-off can feel tricky to navigate and bring up different emotions for both you and your child. Tips for a successful school drop-off:
- Stay positive. It’s important to remain positive as children pick up on parent emotions. Bring calm to the process. Eliminating possible stressors such as leaving a bit early to avoid rush hour traffic.
- Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Let your child know that it’s okay to feel the way they do. Address their emotions in a way that starts a conversation.
- Establish a morning routine. Creating a consistent morning routine will help your child feel secure and ready for the day. It can be beneficial to begin the day with predictable, consistent steps such as having breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed and packing their lunch and school bag. This routine not only prepares them for their day, but also provides a comforting sense of calm for their morning.
- Promote your child’s independence. Support your child’s independence by letting them walk into the school and letting them carry their belongings to the classroom. Encouraging children to take responsibility for their backpack, lunchbox, and personal items fosters a sense of ownership and self-reliance. By allowing children to manage these tasks, you are supporting their growth in becoming independent and capable individuals, ready to take on new challenges throughout the day.
- Create a goodbye routine. Have your child help you create a goodbye ritual that you can follow every time. This could include a special song, a hug, or a secret handshake. Short goodbyes at drop-off work best. Be matter of fact about saying goodbye and remind your child who is picking them up at the end of the day. If your child holds onto you and cries, give them a hug, let them know you’ll be back for them and say goodbye. Children typically calm down very quickly.
- Always be on time. Arriving late can be upsetting to some children as the class has already started. Always be on time. Arriving late can often spark separation anxiety because your child can sense that you are stressed. Children often get anxious when rushed, so do your best to give your child extra time in the morning to get ready and to arrive at school on time.
- Set expectations. Be transparent with your child about how long you will be apart. Building trust with your child is an important part of developing their independence and sense of security. You can provide a helpful reminder such as “After lunch you’ll take a nap and then when you wake up I will pick you up”.
By following these tips, you can help your child build resilience and foster their independence.