First, talk to your child about what to expect in school. They will feel more at ease if he or she is aware, ahead of time, of the environment and routines and the need to buy their own food during recess time.

Encourage them to talk about their perceptions, feelings and concerns about going to school.

Get books and videos about school life and go through them with your child.

Most schools will hold an orientation session before the new school term begins. After the visit, ask your child if they have any questions and discuss possible solutions to problems.

Go through the various challenging situations that your child may face at school. Tell them when, where and how to seek help, if needed.

Tell them about the changes in social relationships. For instance, they will be separated from their old friends and meet new ones. Set up play dates with their preschool classmates so that they can maintain their friendships.

Teach them basic social skills, such as asking for permission and taking turns to do something.

Get them to pack their own school bag.

Practise buying food at the food court with your child.

Try to get your child adjusted to the new routine three to four weeks before the start of school. Get them to go to bed early and wake up early. Ample sleep and adequate nutrition are essential.

Set up an after-school timetable with your child so that they can learn how to organise their time in a better way.

Allocate time for homework, rest and play, and decide if there will be any restrictions on TV time in the evenings.

This article was first published in The Straits Times and Young Parents.

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